Exploring the future of AI with Max Murphy, Data Scientist, Overwatch Data

Ahead of World Summit AI Americas (24th-24th April 2024, Palais de congrès de Montréal, Montréal), we asked Max Murphy, Data Scientist at Overwatch Data, 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?

Violent conflict. It's spreading at a growing rate, and is becoming increasingly intense. Beyond the obvious impacts, such as the thousands of innocent lives taken, the spillover effects it has are huge, too - conflict can lead to disease spreading, and it can trap countries in cycles of poverty and stagnation. There is an untapped opportunity to use AI to help address this.

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

1. To include people from all disciplines and backgrounds in deciding how it's used. AI is best when all types of people are a part of its adoption.
2. To keep up to date with the latest developments and problems. It's changing so quickly that you have to keep your finger on the pulse to stay afloat.
3. To remember that it's not a panacea - it has to be used in a shrewd and safe way!

 

 

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

  

1. To ensure that there is widespread and fair access to it. This technology has the potential to concentrate power in a small group of companies or massively promote equal opportunities for all people (whether that be health or education).
2. To continue treating AI safety as a core part of the development of these systems. It's only by making AI safe that its benefits will be properly felt.
3. Lastly, it will be critical to ensure global cooperation on key AI issues. It's only by ensuring that all countries are on board with AI regulation that genuine progress can be made.

 

 

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

  

AI will have a huge impact on all types of fields, from drug discovery to education. But perhaps the most under appreciated impact it'll have will be on crisis response and geopolitics. As climate change increases the frequency of conflict, refugee crises, and other major events, AI might help us stay on top of it and prevent the very worse of this.

 

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

  

Demis Hassabis, Co-Founder of DeepMind – he has made an enormous contribution to AI. He got me excited about this technology ever since I was a teenager, and is also a Londoner!

Matthew Clifford – he set up the AI Safety Summit which was held at Bletchley Park in the UK. It was the first of its kind, and sent a clear message to the world that global cooperation on AI matters is crucial.

 

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Follow Max on Twitter @maxmurphy100

 

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