As an authority in the sector, what key challenges do you think that the AI community needs to handle to make sure responsible and ethical AI use?
Addressing the moral use of AI presents quite a lot of challenges. In particular, the EU AI law provides a framework by categorizing AI risks. Key concerns include ensuring ethical data sources, combating bias, and maintaining transparency in AI operations. Additionally, privacy, security and ensuring a human-centered decision-making approach remain paramount. It is very important to foster a culture that encourages discussions about AI ethics and to repeatedly link our AI advances to a commitment to upholding human values.
How has AI impacted your specific field and what transformative changes do you expect to see within the near future?
In the creative industry, AI has modified the sport, presenting each opportunities and challenges. While it’s true that AI tools, particularly generative AI, have democratized content creation and increased productivity, there are serious concerns about job displacement and resistance from traditionalists. Drawing parallels to platforms like Spotify which are reshaping the music landscape, I expect that AI will proceed to redefine our field, although that journey could also be accompanied by resistance and the necessity to adapt skills.
How do you envision AI shaping different industries and what advice would you give to corporations seeking to integrate AI into their operations?
AI has the potential to revolutionize industries by increasing efficiency and productivity. A variety of accessible tools now enable corporations to explore AI solutions with minimal upfront investment. But it's not enough to easily test these tools. It is very important for corporations to judge their data, understand the impact of AI on their business model and develop a comprehensive AI strategy for the long run.
However, a challenge that SMEs specifically face is the lack of information of AI at the highest management level. This can put undue pressure on AI product teams and result in potential burnout as they cope with resistance to vary and the intricacies of implementing AI solutions. Recent data from Forbes showed that a big variety of product teams were feeling overwhelmed and plenty of were considering leaving their roles as a result of stress. For SMBs, protecting these priceless team members is critical.
My advice to corporations, especially SMEs, is to value and support your product teams. Don’t embark on an AI integration journey without real commitment and a willingness to face alongside and support those driving the initiative.
What opportunities and challenges do you think that AI offers for labor markets and human resources development worldwide?
AI is transforming the worldwide job market by introducing high-tech roles similar to prompt engineers, chief AI officers and diverse data-centric positions. However, the rapid development also threatens to displace traditional professions as AI can optimize tasks and even complete them more efficiently.
A specific problem is using AI in recruiting. Historically, this sector has faced bias issues, which might be exacerbated if AI reflects these biases in its algorithms.
When it involves workforce development, it’s critical for governments all over the world to give attention to lifelong learning. A possible solution might be the creation of “skills accounts” for residents, which collect funds for ongoing training. This initiative would ideally be a community initiative funded by governments, employers and employees alike.
Can you give an example of an AI application or project that impressed you personally and explain why it’s so special?
One fascinating application of AI that has intrigued me is using robotic bees to assist with pollination and monitor hive activity. However, the creative department is where Amped Studio really stands out. They use AI to assist aspiring musicians create royalty-free backing tracks for his or her compositions. The mastermind behind this innovation, the standard Bil Bryant, has consistently brought forth groundbreaking solutions within the music industry. I imagine his contributions deserve recognition and I’m pleased to spotlight his work today.
What measures do you think that must be taken to shut the gap in AI research between developed and developing countries and ensure equitable technological progress?
To close the gap in AI research between developed and developing countries, it’s crucial to acknowledge the elemental differences, particularly by way of education and available skills. For equitable technological progress, it is important to give attention to capability constructing in developing countries. By equipping individuals with relevant skills, they will in turn upskill others, ensuring technology is tailored to the unique challenges of their region.
Which two people do you admire most on the planet of AI by way of their work?
Two figures within the AI field that I deeply respect are Bil Bryant and Dr. Julian Padget. Bryant's pioneering work democratized music creation, allowing individuals to create meaningful pieces no matter their background. On the tutorial side, Dr. Julian Padget, an AI expert on the University of Bath, not only stands out through his research, but can also be keen about developing AI standards to enhance society. I had the honour of working with him, Colin Crone and Jeremy Swinfen Green on the International Standard Organization (ISO) AI Data Lifecycle Standard (ISO/IEC 8183), which was approved earlier this 12 months.
What advice would you give to aspiring AI researchers and enthusiasts who need to make a positive difference on this field?
For those that need to make meaningful contributions to AI, I cannot emphasize enough the worth of collaboration. It is critical to balance innovation with responsibility and ethics, often through the formation of an AI ethics committee. Aligning yourself with frameworks similar to the EU AI Act and the ISO AI Data Lifecycle (ISO/IEC 8183) can provide a solid foundation in your efforts.
If you may solve one global problem on the planet with AI, what wouldn’t it be and why?
In response to such a thought-provoking query, it's tempting to assume a cinematic solution by which AI preemptively identifies potential wrongdoers. However, navigating the moral labyrinth of such an application is undoubtedly complex. On a more informed basis, inspired by Brittany Kaiser's “Targeted,” which details Cambridge Analytica's misuse of AI, I’d advocate for AI's role in maintaining truth in politics. The spread of misinformation, particularly within the political sphere, poses a big threat to democratic principles. With technology potentially amplifying this challenge, I imagine AI generally is a beacon that detects and combats falsehoods in real time across all media platforms. Addressing misinformation is paramount to preserving the values and progress we value.
What inspired you to participate as a speaker at this AI Summit and what message would you wish to convey to the audience?
My deep-rooted passion for AI, stemming from over a decade of engagement, inspired me to talk at this summit. Having observed the transformative journey of AI, I’m an ardent supporter of “tech4good”. While there isn’t any denying that AI poses challenges and concerns for a lot of, I remain optimistic about its potential to advance humanity. The creative industry specifically has the chance to make use of AI for productivity, product improvement and democratization of creativity. This summit provides a platform for the launch of the “Creative Industry AI Study” (ciai.study), an initiative aimed toward shaping AI policies, standards and discourse. I encourage creative professionals to contribute and ensure comprehensive insights in our semi-annual reports. With my background, particularly as co-author of the International Standard Organization's AI Data Lifecycle Standard, I would really like to underline the importance of ethical AI integration in corporations. The EU AI law offers a strong framework for this. And for corporations in search of a seamless transition to AI, my consulting firm “AI Caramba!” is able to guide and support them.
Global AI events calendar
Eleventh-Twelfth October 2023
Amsterdam, Netherlands
World AI Week
Ninth-Thirteenth October 2023
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Twenty fourth-Twenty fifth April 2024
Montreal Canada
Smart Health
Eleventh-Twelfth September 2024
Basel, Switzerland
Do you’ve interesting content you prefer to to share with our community of over 220,000 AI Brains? You can send us anything from a printed article you've written online, a white paper, an article or an interview. Submit it here
