As the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to develop at pace, questions arise about its ethical implications and the sustainability of its future. In the third episode of our new podcast The Technology Boardroom, our experts are delving into the critical topic of safe and ethical AI.
In this blog, we’ll share some of the key messages mentioned in the podcast – make sure you listen to the full episode, “The challenge of safe and ethical AI”, to get all of the details. You’ll hear from Steve Goodman, our Field Chief Technical Officer (CTO), and Rob Smith, Partnerships Director as they explore the principles, challenges and responsibilities surrounding AI in today’s world.
Meet our Boardroom
- Steve Goodman is the Field CTO at Advania, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in technology strategy and implementation. Steve’s role involves guiding clients through the technological landscape, ensuring they leverage the best tools and practices to achieve their business goals.
- Rob Smith is the Partnerships Director at Advania, responsible for managing relationships with key partners and vendors, including Microsoft. With a background in technology strategy and advisory, Rob plays a crucial role in integrating innovative solutions to drive value for Advania’s clients.
In this episode, Steve and Rob engage in a lively discussion about the complexities and importance of responsible AI – we’ll dive into some of the topics they discussed.
The significance of responsible AI
Why does responsible AI matter? This question sets the stage for our discussion as we consider the impact of AI on businesses and individuals. Rob Smith emphasises the importance of ensuring that AI tools are developed and used in a way that respects and protects user data. The conversation delves into the principles of fairness, reliability, safety, privacy, and inclusiveness, which form the foundation of responsible AI practices.
Real-world implications
One of the most intriguing aspects of this episode is the exploration of how responsible AI affects the average end user. Steve and Rob discuss whether users notice the impact of responsible AI and how it manifests in their daily interactions with technology.
They raise thought-provoking questions about the ethical considerations of AI, such as the use of deepfake technology and AI-generated content, which can have far-reaching consequences.
Everybody would like to think that the data underpinning this great monolithic beast that is AI is handled in a responsible way and it has always got one eye on, making sure that both the data that is being used responsibly, but also the tool itself behaves in a responsible way that's not disrespectful, unnecessarily negative or unnecessarily positive.” - Rob Smith
Industry perspectives
The episode also provides insights into how different companies approach responsible AI. Rob shares his experiences working with Microsoft and other tech giants, highlighting the varying degrees of commitment to ethical AI practices across the industry.
The discussion touches on the role of government regulations and the differences in AI policies between regions, such as Europe and the United States.
AI and the environment
Another critical topic covered in this episode is the environmental impact of AI. Steve and Rob discuss the significant computing power required to train AI models and the potential ethical dilemmas this presents. They explore how advancements in AI technology, such as Microsoft’s efficient Florence 2 model, can help mitigate the environmental footprint of AI.
The future of AI in business
What does the future hold for AI in business? Steve and Rob share their perspectives on the transformative potential of AI, from improving customer service to enhancing productivity through tools like Microsoft Copilot.
They discuss the importance of starting early with AI adoption to stay ahead of the competition and the need for businesses to approach AI implementation thoughtfully and ethically.
"It's almost the fourth industrial revolution we're on the cusp of with all of this happening, and we've got to do it in a responsible way” - Steve Goodman
The big questions
To give you a taste of the compelling conversation in this episode, here are some of the intriguing questions posed by our speakers:
- How can we ensure that AI tools behave in a responsible manner, avoiding unnecessary negativity or positivity?
- What are the potential risks of using AI-generated content in advertising and other applications?
- How do different countries and tech giants approach the principles of responsible AI?
- What are the environmental implications of AI, and how can we develop more sustainable AI models?
- How can businesses leverage AI responsibly to gain a competitive edge without compromising ethical standards?
Take a seat in The Technology Boardroom
This thought-provoking episode gives you expert insights into the world of safe and ethical AI – something we know is important to a lot of organisations. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, business leader, or simply curious about the future of AI, this is all relevant to keeping the future of AI sustainable.
Subscribe to our podcast to stay updated on the latest episodes and join us on this journey of exploring technology’s impact on our lives and businesses. Don’t miss out on the chance to learn from industry experts and engage in meaningful conversations from Advania experts and guests.
