Exploring the future of AI with Blake Richards, Associate Professor, McGill University, Canada CIFAR AI Chair

Ahead of World Summit AI Americas (24th-24th April 2024, Palais de congrès de Montréal, Montréal), we asked Blake Richards, Associate Professor, McGill University, Canada CIFAR AI Chair, his thoughts on the future of AI.

If you could solve any global problem in the world with AI, what would it be and why?

Climate change, because it's the most pressing problem on the planet. Followed closely by disorders of the brain, because they have a massive impact on human flourishing.

What do you think are the 3 most important things for businesses in relation to AI at the moment?
  

1. Do a thorough analysis of inefficiencies in your business and identify how AI could eliminate them.
2. Don't deploy models before conducting thorough audits (or getting someone else to).
3. Don't deploy fully autonomous systems when it's not necessary.

 

 

What do you think are the 3 most important things for humanity in relation to AI at the moment?

  

1. Get more public compute resources to ensure that AI models are not solely built by for-profit-companies.
2. Make sure the public understands the how AI works at a high level.
3. Make sure people are aware of the potential for AI-based misinformation campaigns.

 

 

 

How do you think AI will make its biggest mark in the next 5, 10, 20 years?

  

In 5 years: white collar jobs are transformed, many people will use AI to increase their productivity.
In 10 years: people will begin to see AI as a natural partner in their day-to-day life.
In 20 years: I have no idea, I don't want to make a prediction that far out.

 

Which 2 people do you admire most in the world of AI in terms of their work?

  

David Rolnick and Timothy Lillicrap.

 

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Follow Blake on Twitter @tyrell_turing

 

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