{"id":464310,"date":"2023-12-04T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-04T05:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innovationorigins.com\/?p=464310"},"modified":"2023-12-04T06:30:00","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T05:30:00","slug":"ai-is-like-electricity-we-will-all-tap-into-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/ai-is-like-electricity-we-will-all-tap-into-it\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;AI is like electricity; we will all tap into it&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The past twelve months can be defined as the age of realization about AI. The general public comprehended what AI can do: boost <a href=\"https:\/\/innovationorigins.com\/en\/ai-and-blood-tests-a-new-way-to-detect-colorectal-cancer-early\/\">cancer detection<\/a>, decipher multi millennia-old <a href=\"https:\/\/innovationorigins.com\/en\/unearthing-pompeiis-secrets-with-cutting-edge-technology\/\">papyri<\/a>, or recreate <a href=\"https:\/\/innovationorigins.com\/en\/ai-revives-lennons-voice-for-final-beatles-song\/\">John Lennon\u2019s voice<\/a>. Most importantly, the AI\u2019s potential to enter any of society\u2019s realms became evident to most people. However, the potential risks of AI also emerged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"io-block io-block__summary\"><ul><li>AI is showing up as a horizontal technology with the potential to disrupt any sector. <\/li><li>Therefore, educating people about it is fundamental to creating trust and awareness. <\/li><li>With regulations starting to be implemented, much of the work lays ahead. <\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In an effort to protect from AI threats and regulate its development, governments are starting to issue the first regulations. At the end of October, United States President Joe Biden issued an executive order setting new standards for AI security. Requiring developers to share their safety test results with the US government, developing new tools to ensure the trustworthiness of AI systems, and launching measures to protect Americans\u2019 privacy were some of the measures included in the bill. The EU is also regulating the AI space with its EU AI Act.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reggie Townsend is vice president of data ethics at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sas.com\/nl_nl\/home.html\">SAS<\/a>, a global leader in AI and analytics software, and a National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (<a href=\"https:\/\/ai.gov\/naiac\/\">NAIAC<\/a>) member. This committee advises the US president on AI. He is also a board member at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equalai.org\/\">EqualAI<\/a>, a nonprofit that seeks to reduce bias in AI. An engineer by training and technologist at heart, Townsend has always enjoyed learning about emerging technologies. Becoming more familiar with AI, his curiosity led him to a point of concern that then evolved into a necessity to act. He firmly believes educating people about AI is needed and can help overcome misconceptions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile has-background\" style=\"background-color:#c5a769;grid-template-columns:auto 22%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#c5a769\"><strong>This is an article from <a href=\"https:\/\/fliphtml5.com\/check\/lknoe\/jpmn\/\">IO Next: The Year Of&#8230;<\/a><\/strong> <strong>For the last magazine of this year, we selected the articles that stuck with us the most, whether it was an impressive interview, an important story or just something funny.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.ioplus.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Schermafbeelding-2023-12-11-114944-732x1004.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-465925 size-full\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"io-block io-block__box\"><h2>Why Mauro selected this story for the magazine: <\/h2><p>In many ways, 2023 was the year of AI. From the general public realization of its capabilities to the implementation of the first regulations, 2023 will be remembered as a crucial year in the history of AI. What impact can we expect from AI in the years to come? How can we limit its risks? To close the year, we had an interview with Reggie Townsend, one of the experts on the committee advising the US President about AI.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the biggest misconception about AI?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think many people have a Terminator view about AI. They hear a lot of the doomsday talk circulating throughout the media, which is hard to break because it involves emotions. What\u2019s perhaps as troubling to me is the people who don\u2019t engage at all. It\u2019s good that people should be free not to care. However, AI is a horizontal and ubiquitous technology. It is showing up in newsrooms, clinical settings, and banks. I equate it to electricity in that regard; we all tap into the electricity grid, and so, at some point, we will all tap into AI in some fashion. Just like we all know there is a risk with plugging a device into a socket if it\u2019s wet, we need to increase our knowledge about AI similarly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"vlp-link-container vlp-layout-basic wp-block-visual-link-preview-link advgb-dyn-314133f7\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/google-alums-ai-start-up-raises-24-million-for-biotech-work\/\" class=\"vlp-link\" title=\"Google alum\u2019s AI start-up raises $24 million for biotech work\"><\/a><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-side\"><div class=\"vlp-block-2 vlp-link-image\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-main\"><div class=\"vlp-block-0 vlp-link-title\">Google alum\u2019s AI start-up raises $24 million for biotech work<\/div><div class=\"vlp-block-1 vlp-link-summary\">Biotech start-up Cradle has garnered 24 million dollar in Series A funding, bringing its total capital to 3 millon dollar, the start-up writes in a press release. <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Did your experience change your concerns about AI?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe more knowledge you get, the more you change, or at least you should. We still have concerns with respect to how AI is showing up in law enforcement, judicial settings, or healthcare, for instance. These are all matters of high impact that regard all of us, technologists and non-technologists alike. We must understand what AI is as a lifecycle, as a long process of accumulating data and building models to support and make decisions from data, and how that AI gets deployed in a specific context. Contexts change and, therefore, potential impacts vary as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In an interview you previously gave, you said that one of your concerns was the spread of misinformation that can result from AI. Is it still the case?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is not just an AI matter. Social media platforms are the primary way of distributing content. Social media use AI, and what they do is amplify what we see as essential or entertaining. Therefore, they will algorithmically keep showing this content. Human nature intersects with this all, and we gravitate towards some sensational news that doesn\u2019t always equate to truth. But it\u2019s also a platform distribution issue and a natural one. And we have to be able to wrestle with all of those simultaneously, so that is still a concern of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can we prevent the spread of misinformation from happening?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe first step is awareness and education; this is the topic we need to elevate. It\u2019s not about making everyone a data scientist or a statistics Ph.D. but teaching people the basics of how data works in our lives, where it shows up, and how it is being used. If you can inform people and put them in the best position to make decisions for themselves, that\u2019s a win-win.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other thing to consider is the role of us technologists. We need to prove ourselves worth the trust of our customers. Our platforms have to be trustworthy. That\u2019s why one of the things we are doing at SAS is trying to be as transparent as possible, providing frameworks for example, by building explainability capabilities into our platforms so people can understand the chain of custody related to how data was used. Then governments have a role as well, and we are seeing a lot of governmental activity happening at the moment. This all-in moment&nbsp; requires each of us to step up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"vlp-link-container vlp-layout-basic wp-block-visual-link-preview-link advgb-dyn-18147fcb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/g7-nations-unite-for-ai-code-of-conduct-heres-what-you-need-to-know\/\" class=\"vlp-link\" title=\"G7 nations unite for AI code of conduct. Here&#039;s what you need to know\"><\/a><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-side\"><div class=\"vlp-block-2 vlp-link-image\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-main\"><div class=\"vlp-block-0 vlp-link-title\">G7 nations unite for AI code of conduct. Here&#8217;s what you need to know<\/div><div class=\"vlp-block-1 vlp-link-summary\">Seven of the world\u2019s most influential economies will agree on a code of conduct for AI development today. This landmark declaration aims to promote the safe and trustworthy use of AI worldwide. <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s your definition of trustworthy AI?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen I talk about trustworthy AI, I\u2019m talking about whether or not AI is being used ethically. I\u2019m talking about ensuring adequate levels of transparency and explainability, so all of the intangible characteristics we seek when we say trust. Trust is an emotion, not a mathematical equation. In scientific circles, we can very quickly define trust. I think it\u2019s a fool\u2019s errand; you know trust when you feel trust. So, we will do some things tangibly that we know are attributes of displays of trust, but we can\u2019t force anyone to trust us. All we can do is act in trustworthy ways and then allow another person to feel that feeling or not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you see governments stepping in to regulate the AI space?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat\u2019s reassuring is that there is a discussion taking place. What\u2019s also reassuring is that the discussions are leading to a common sense of purpose and values. Declarations are great. The promises are fantastic. The next step is how we actuate them, in other words, how we enable our values. The hard work is ahead of us. The EU chose the hard law approach, while the UK and the US opted for a soft law one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"io-block io-block__box\"><h2>EU approach vs US approach<\/h2><p>The EU AI Act designs a regulatory framework for AI in the European single market, establishing a risk-based approach towards AI systems emphasizing the respect of EU values and fundamental rights. <br><br> Biden&#8217;s Executive order underscores American leadership in taking the opportunities offered by AI, underlining safety, equity, and civil right. <br><br>You can find a more detailed comparison <a href=\"https:\/\/lawbhoy.substack.com\/p\/breaking-down-the-differences-between\">here<\/a>. <\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Some believe that these regulations will hinder AI development.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAny regulation is to impede. I think the real question is, do innovators have the ability to innovate? Are they going as fast as they could? Maybe not, but should they? At some point, we have to put some boundaries in place; for me, the question is, how broad are the margins? Some of the best innovations come from constraints, not without them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What would you like to see in the AI space five years from now?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI would like to see some, if not hard, but some pseudo standards that we all accept and agree upon. I would love to see people become more educated about the AI space. I would love to see a way for individuals to have greater control over their data so that it\u2019s used for their greatest benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The past twelve months can be defined as the age of realization about AI. The general public comprehended what AI can do: boost cancer detection, decipher multi millennia-old papyri, or recreate John Lennon\u2019s voice. Most importantly, the AI\u2019s potential to enter any of society\u2019s realms became evident to most people. However, the potential risks of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2084,"featured_media":493417,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8553],"tags":[75599,79270,10373,69735,82525,65111],"location":[76794],"article_type":[6758],"serie":[],"archives":[],"internal_archives":[],"reboot-archive":[],"class_list":["post-464310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-digital","tag-75599","tag-2023-ai","tag-ai","tag-ai-nl-3","tag-naiac","tag-sas","location-united-states","article_type-interview"],"blocksy_meta":[],"acf":{"subtitle":"As a committee member who advises the US President on AI, Reggie Townsend sees AI as a technology we must all deal with and should be educated on. ","text_display_homepage":false},"author_meta":{"display_name":"Mauro Mereu","author_link":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/author\/mauro-mereu\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ReggieTownsend_2023_Headshot.jpg","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/digital\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Digital<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Digital<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/digital\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">2023<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/digital\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">2023 AI<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/digital\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">AI<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/digital\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">AI<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/digital\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">NAIAC<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/digital\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">SAS<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">2023<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">2023 AI<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">AI<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">AI<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">NAIAC<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">SAS<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 2 years ago","modified":"Updated 2 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on December 4, 2023","modified":"Updated on December 4, 2023"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on December 4, 2023 6:30 am","modified":"Updated on December 4, 2023 6:30 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464310","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2084"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=464310"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464310\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/493417"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=464310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=464310"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=464310"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=464310"},{"taxonomy":"article_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_type?post=464310"},{"taxonomy":"serie","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/serie?post=464310"},{"taxonomy":"archives","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/archives?post=464310"},{"taxonomy":"internal_archives","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal_archives?post=464310"},{"taxonomy":"reboot-archive","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reboot-archive?post=464310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}