Ahead of World Summit AI (11th-12th October 2023, Taets Art & Event Park, Amsterdam), we asked Giovanni Leoni, Head of Business Strategy & Development, Credo AI, his thoughts on the future of AI.
As an expert in the field, what critical challenges do you believe the AI community needs to address to ensure responsible & and ethical AI deployment?
One of the most critical challenges that the AI community needs to address is the delicate balance between promoting the adoption of AI technology while ensuring responsible and ethical AI deployment. It’s not EITHER/OR type of situation, but rather an AND!
Our focus should be on designing AI systems, from their inception to deployment and ongoing monitoring, with responsible and ethical considerations at the forefront. This means that responsible and ethical AI should not be an afterthought but rather woven into the very fabric of AI development and implementation.
Achieving this balance is vital for the long-term sustainability and positive impact of AI on society.
Furthermore, enabling AI adoption according to the ambition of responsible and ethical coming through regulations, such as the EU AI Act is critical. Even more now, with the EU AI Act just around the corner, this spans more than just compliance, but also a matter of operationalizing ethical and responsible AI at scale in line with the high-level expert groups' guidelines on trustworthy AI.
How has AI impacted your specific field of expertise, and what transformative changes do you foresee in the near future?
Artificial Intelligence has significantly influenced every aspect of business over the past decade and will continue to do so for an unforeseeable future. What's truly transformative is that we're no longer solely focused on productivity and efficiency gains we're also striving for a positive impact on people, the planet, and society.
How do you envision AI shaping various industries, and what advice would you give to businesses seeking to integrate AI into their operations?
I believe that anything that can be digitized will undergo radical transformation through AI. Any domain where we can establish sufficiently accurate rules to understand and create patterns will revolutionize various industries. Some areas will see more radical change, like marketing operations, sales, coding, software development, customer relations, and administrative businesses are all set for a complete overhaul in the near future. However, this is merely the beginning. The crucial point is that these changes won't only result in faster and more efficient processes
they will also reshape and create new business models.
Technology and AI will seamlessly integrate into the background, freeing us from constant awareness, and products, services, and solutions will naturally become smarter, delivering enhanced value. Thus, I believe this transformation won't merely impact and alter industries
it will fundamentally redesign them while becoming increasingly relevant to humanity.
In regards to advice, companies looking to integrate AI should decide upon their ideal vision of how they deliver value, and really think: What would that look like? Dream of how it should appear and then embark on a continuous process of change to seamlessly integrate AI into their operations. This can be achieved through internal development, but more likely through external sourcing.
In your opinion, what opportunities and challenges does AI present for job markets and workforce development worldwide?
Between 30% to 50% of all tasks are on the verge of transformation in the near future. Our primary focus should shift from specific job roles and tasks to considering the value humans bring. We must identify our interface and interactions with technology, explore how we can enhance processes through technology and AI, and work toward that envisioned goal.
However, it's essential to acknowledge that while these opportunities allow us to deliver more significant value by promoting genuinely human qualities, the challenge lies in those who wait, avoid, or resist these changes. Such reluctance can create negative impacts on individuals who lack the competence, context, or ecosystem to adapt to this evolving landscape. Therefore, taking proactive steps and embracing this transformation is crucial to ensure a positive outcome, so no one is left behind.
Can you share an example of an AI application or project that has personally impressed you, and explain why it stands out?
One of the most prominent one that come to mind is ChatGPT. Not because it's flawless or immune to challenges, but to borrow the words of Cassie Kozyrkov, Chief Decision Scientist at Google, it stands out not as a major leap in AI, but rather as a significant advancement in UX – transforming the way people interact with technology on a grand scale.
This underscores a crucial aspect of technology: it's not just about the technology itself but also its profound impact on individuals and society, reshaping the very fabric of how we conduct our lives. To me, that is truly impressive and inspiring.
What measures do you believe should be taken to bridge the AI research gap between developed and developing nations to ensure equitable technological progress?
I believe that on one hand, research needs to be accessible for all. I think that's a key component that makes that even if the research is done in certain parts or certain sectors of the world being accessible is one of the key enablers for all to be able to leapfrog in terms of competence available. So that is a core component.
The second thing is to be very critical on what societal context AI systems have been developed, we need to acknowledge when it's been optimized towards English, towards white middle-aged men, and other characteristics that do not represent society at large. We need to be very conscious that that is a downfall because it is just a small, small sliver of the world.
What 2 people do you admire most in the world of AI in terms of their work?
First, Navrina Singh, Founder and CEO of Credo AI. She exemplifies the essence of translating ideas into practical reality, making AI an inherent part of business operations. She recognizes the potential to create positive impacts on the world while integrating AI seamlessly into business practices. Crafting such a narrative and inspiring others to join this journey is a vital aspect of her work, and not only inspiring, but also critically needed in the industry.
Second, Alan Turing. Sometimes the greatest inspiration can be found with people that was working in the shadows, but impacted history all the same. Over time we see the greatness of someone's endeavor and passion, pushing to change the world fundamentally and how we are understanding our world through technology. Alan Turing exemplifies the believers of a better world and I believe that he's one of many, many people who have created the movement that we're on today. While being a role model in standing up for what he believed in both a personal and professional context.
What advice would you give to aspiring AI researchers and enthusiasts who want to make a positive impact in the field?
Theory is there to expand our worldview, but it's the practice that makes the only and real difference.
If you could solve any global problem in the world with AI, what would it be and why?
We can solve all allocation problems today with the use of AI, we are just not doing it because of current power structures and incentives. We can solve famine, poverty, lack of infrastructure, waste and all other problems if we would reallocate it with the aid of AI. We just don't do it right now because of all other reasons than the technical ones.
What inspired you to participate in this AI summit as a speaker, and what message do you hope to convey to the audience?
I believe this summit brings together people from various fields who understand that AI is interconnected across sectors, regions, territories, and different fields that have a significant impact on human society. I also believe that this summit has the ambition to change the way we approach AI, making it not just a technological domain, but an integral part of how our society operates.
Lastly, the message I want to convey to the attendees is that we have a unique opportunity to adopt AI for the betterment of society while adhering to responsible governance and compliance with regulations like the EU AI Act. It's all about governing AI in an intelligent manner and translating principles and policies into practice.
Global AI events calendar
World Summit AI
11-12 October 2023
Amsterdam, Netherlands
World AI Week
9-13 October 2023
Amsterdam, Netherlands
World Summit AI Americas
24-25 April 2024
Montréal, Canada
Intelligent Health
11-12 September 2024
Basel, Switzerland
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