We sat down with Anne McCormick, DHead of Digital Technology Policy, Global Public Policy at EY, to discuss trust and governance for the long run of AI.
What does the long run of AI appear to be?
The way forward for AI is filled with potential, but in addition filled with uncertainty. This will not be only because AI/GenAI and its applications are evolving rapidly, but in addition because the long run of AI depends upon how individuals and societies will “steer” and use this powerful technology. Crucial to the long run of AI is trust: trust within the technology itself and societal trust within the responsible way AI is used.
Although efforts are already being made on this direction, I feel that we’ve got reached some extent where the development of this critical Trust requires a shift: an acceleration and greater effectiveness of collaboration between AI developers, citizen users, policy makers, civil society, the private sector and others. For AI to realize its full positive potential, the short and medium-term risks of AI have to be addressed openly and credibly, accompanied by appropriate AI governance frameworks and a core set of common (or a minimum of interoperable) international AI standards.
What is the best AI application you’ve got seen to this point?
For me, a few of the coolest AI applications are in medicine and biotechnology, where it’s paving the best way for higher prevention, latest treatments, and mass production. Take early cancer detection, for instance, or using individually tailored gene therapies. The ability to mass-deploy AI-powered tailored treatments after which make them accessible and “co-owned” by people in vulnerable communities (including in the worldwide South) can be an incredible win.
Introducing AI in corporations: Name three advantages and three potential risks
Benefits? First, AI can enhance and support our (human) impact in some work environments (for instance, in writing and summarizing quickly, identifying useful patterns and connections that speed up discoveries, programming), freeing up human time, judgment, and creativity for more rewarding work. Second, AI opens the door to mass customization – the customization of services on a big scale. Third, under the appropriate conditions, AI can assist stimulate and support facets of human creativity and offer latest perspectives and solutions.
Risks? A major risk is the present lack of effective AI governance, systems and controls in lots of organizations – without governance and human oversight, AI systems could be flawed and misleading, used irresponsibly and likewise end in organizations failing to fulfill their (rapidly evolving) AI compliance obligations. Added to that is the growing gap between AI-savvy employees/organizations and others, which could widen economic inequalities if not proactively addressed (e.g. by incorporating AI competencies and skills into basic worker training). Finally, AI can disrupt traditional value chains and create significant risks that have to be identified early and proactively addressed.
What excites you most a few world shaped by AI?
When developed and deployed responsibly, AI can assist solve a few of the biggest challenges we face, from healthcare to sustainability. It's not nearly efficiency and optimization – AI can (and will) even be used to support human development, improve lives, and create a more equitable world.
How do you imagine the long run of human-machine collaboration?
AI in its current form is ultimately still a really powerful “tool” created by humans, with the potential to greatly augment, support and complement human talents if developed and used responsibly. But we must not forget that AI often reflects human biases and weaknesses and even encourages them further. To truly realize the positive potential of human-machine collaboration, we must make sure that we take responsibility for a way we construct, share, control and use these tools, that they reflect the perfect of our humanity and that we learn from our mistakes. Who knows, perhaps if we get it right, the AI ​​of the long run will encourage us humans to be the perfect people and stewards of our planet that we could be!
Anne McCormick
Head of Digital Technology Policy, Global Public Policy
EY
