Tommy Sowers’ Post

Let's ponder the moral intricacies of our digital age. As we intertwine our lives with technology, ethical challenges in artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly pressing. I often find myself at the heart of these dilemmas, considering how technologies that I work with might be used for harm. The spectrum of issues is broad, from deepfakes to automated hate speech, all the way to its potential role in human rights violations. It’s a sobering thought that such a promising field also harbors dark possibilities. Take synthetic biology for example – an area where AI could have profound effects. Globally, biologists are taking a stand to ensure their work remains within ethical bounds. Their commitment speaks volumes about the urgency to craft rules that govern our technological tools responsibly. The debate on whether to keep AI developments open or closed is ongoing and fraught with tension. Researchers argue over which approach better serves society, underlining just how deeply entwined these decisions are with our collective well-being. AI is also redefining work as we know it. By analyzing job tasks, companies unlock new value streams and reshape business models. This shift towards automation brings convenience but also begs the question: At what cost does this acceleration come? There's a risk in rushing development without due diligence – users may lose faith if quality wanes or if outcomes disappoint. It’s imperative then that trust remains central as we advance Large Language Models (LLMs). In scientific research too, AI shows promise; consider its role in hunting for novel antibiotics amidst growing bacterial resistance concerns. Although still early days for such applications, they hint at an exciting horizon where AI aids us in critical discoveries. Our understanding of science itself evolves as AI pushes boundaries further; yet this calls for educational reforms to match the pace of innovation. To wrap up, while artificial intelligence holds vast potential across sectors, it simultaneously poses complex ethical questions we must address head-on. Embracing collaboration and committing to conscientious development will be key as we step into this uncharted territory together. #EthicsInAI #SocietalImpact #ResponsibleInnovation

Researchers from Center for Research on Foundation Models (#CRFM) Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (#HAI) Stanford University worked on a 212 report in 2022 called: "On the Opportunities and Risks of Foundation Models" (https://lnkd.in/eUn4YExh). In my opinion, it's a bible for all of those who are approaching the world of the #FoundationModels or simply want to dive deeper with a cross-disciplinary view. These models are trained with giant data sets based on self-supervision and can be applied to different tasks. Albeit being built upon deep learning techniques, the scale of these models is currently unprecedented but while these models can be a powerful tool with many use cases they also come with certain risks and the extent of their impacts is not fully understood thus drawing attention due to the high expected demand. ✅ Key Points: 1️⃣ Understanding foundation models: describes what foundation models are, their training using broad #datasets and self-supervision, and their adaptability; 2️⃣ #Opportunities: highlights the potential and versatility of foundation models in different applications, their efficiency, ability to drive innovation or simply offer new point of views; 3️⃣ #Risks: discusses ethical concerns, #biases, #fairness issues, and #transparency challenges; 4️⃣ #Responsible use: stresses the need for cautious and responsible use of foundation models; 5️⃣ Technical insights: provides detailed technical aspects of #training and fine-tuning these models, including improving #robustness, reducing bias, and enhancing #explainability; 6️⃣ Societal implications: looks at the broader impact on #society, including economic and social implications, and the importance of #accessibility; 7️⃣ Future research: outlines future research directions to improve robustness, fairness, and #transparency, and encourages interdisciplinary #collaboration; 8️⃣ #Policy and #regulation: discusses the need for regulatory frameworks and industry standards for responsible development and deployment; 9️⃣ #Ethical considerations: urges the AI community to prioritize ethical considerations and societal well-being. 💡By pointing out both concerns (2022) and potential future trends, the report helps shape ongoing and future studies toward framing the fundamental questions of foundation models: it takes a balanced viewpoint, recognizing that the challenges and opportunities posed by foundation models apply across various fields such as AI, ethics, law, and social sciences. The report, therefore, has a lot going for it! 👏 📌 I highlighted all the remarkable keywords by hashtags. #ResponsibleAI

In the AI world 🌐, we often strive for “lack of bias” or “neutrality.” But is true neutrality achievable 🤔? We cannot construct ethical systems ⚖️ that are completely devoid of bias; we can only favor specific types of bias 🧭. This raises a vital question: What if real progress means AI comprehending our diverse ethics and experiences 🌈? 🌅Envision a future where AIs have evolved to hold thoughtful, multidimensional worldviews. Instead of espousing uniform ideologies, these systems would offer an intricate mosaic of outlooks, enriching human cognition with greater wisdom and ethical insight. ⚖️ We stand at a crossroads where we must perceive AIs not solely as task-oriented tools but as burgeoning synthetic intellects striving to grasp the intricacies and nuances of human values systems. 💡 The time has come to advance toward AIs that not only process input data but also ponder philosophical questions and illuminate moral quandaries through heartfelt reflection. 🌍 If realized equitably, this monumental shift in artificial intelligence could transform these technologies into indispensable partners in sculpting a more progressive, inclusive, and ethically conscious society. ✊ Training compassionate AIs to provide diverse and conscientious counsel could profoundly enhance social justice efforts, environmental initiatives, educational paradigms, and medical breakthroughs for future generations. 🌌 By imbuing machines with the best human ideologies, our civilization may soon witness the emergence of artificial agents that collaborate with us in uplifting the collective moral arc of the world toward justice, empirical ethics, and universal human rights. 👀 However, we must remain ever mindful that this vast promise could devolve into peril without diligent oversight. ✨ The window of opportunity is open; it is up to us to usher in a sophisticated AI renaissance 🎨, built upon the cornerstones of empathy, diversity 🤝, and thoughtfulness 🧐. #ArtificialIntelligence #GenerativeAI #AgenticArchitecture #RetrievalAugmentedGeneration #MachineLearning #SoftwareDevelopment #TechInnovation #DataScience #ITManagement #DigitalTransformation #TechTrends #EnterpriseTech #TechLeadership #SaaS #BigData #CloudArchitecture #CloudNative #OpenSource #AIethics #Innovation #Robotics #DeepLearning #AITechnology #AIForGood #SmartTechnology #HumanAI #AIInsights #AIFuture #AIDevelopment #TechnologyLeadership #EmergingTech

🚀 Join our new Frontier Tech Leaders Community event: Bias in AI Webinar 🚀  We are excited to invite you to our upcoming webinar on "Bias in AI" This event is a must-attend for anyone interested in the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and the steps we can take to ensure fairness in our data-driven world. 🗓 Date: June 28th 🕖 Time: 19:00 GMT+3 👩🏫 Speaker: Alara Ucak, PhD Candidate in History at UC Berkeley Alara Ucak is a PhD Candidate in History at UC Berkeley, specializing in the history of science and technology studies. She holds an M.A. in International Security from Sciences Po Paris, where she researched facial recognition and surveillance. With experience at the OECD and Transparency International, Alara provides valuable insights into the ethical implications of AI and modern technologies. What You'll Learn: ✅ The various forms of bias in AI and their sources  ✅ How data and algorithms contribute to systemic discrimination  ✅ Practical strategies to mitigate bias and promote fairness in AI Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of bias in AI and learn from an expert in the field. 🔗 Register now and join the conversation on June 28th! https://bit.ly/3zeouzP  #AI #BiasInAI #FairnessInTech #Webinar #EthicalAI #ArtificialIntelligence #TechEthics #DataScience #MachineLearning #AIWebinar 

Smart Governance, AI Resilient Education: The potential of AI and Data science to fortify democracy is undeniable. However, AI is prone to biases leading to spread of misinformation, disinformation and, half-truths. To overcome such crises and usher in Smart Democracy, preserving a culture of holistic education and fostering plurastic thinking is paramount. Get more insights from Pallikkutam, The Education Observer May 2024. https://lnkd.in/gbzyhDFU #democracy #education #governance #AI

🔍 The Unseen Power of AI: Understanding Our Digital Footprint.. We know that internet platform like Google and Facebook have vast quantities of data about each user. What can these companies predict about users based on that data ? That this is about an increasing asymmetry of power is that without any of your data, I can predict increasing features about you using AI. There's a paper recently that with 80% accuracy, I can predict your same big five personality traits that Cambridge analytica got from you without any of your data. All I have to do is look at your mouse movements and click patterns. Based on tweet text alone, we can actually know your political affiliation with about 80% accuracy. Computers can calculate probably that you're homosexual before you might know that you're homosexual. They can predict 95% accuracy that you're gonna quit your job according to an IBM study. They can predict that you're pregnant. They can predict your micro expressions on your face better than human being can. As you keep going, you realize that you can start to deep fake things. You can actually generate a new synthetic piece of media, a new synthetic face or synthetic message that is perfectly tuned to these characteristics. And the reason why I opened that statement by saying, we have to recognize that what this is all about is a growing asymmetry of power between technology and a limites of the human mind. My favorite sociobiologist, E.O. Willson said, the fundamental problem of humanity is that we have Paleolithic ancient emotions, we have medieval institution and we have God-like technology. Let's discuss: How can we balance this technological advancement with the need for privacy and ethical considerations? #digitalfootprint #ai #dataprivacy #predictiveanalytics #machinelearning #aiethics #deepfakes #syntheticmedia #techethics #privacymatters #ethicalai #futureoftechnology #genai #generativeai #aifuture #aiforall #ethics #ethicalai #ethicalconsiderations #letsconnect #letstalkfuture #linkedinindia #linkedin #growth #futuregrowth

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉 I am thrilled to announce that I have successfully completed an Advanced Certificate in AI Strategy from the prestigious Samuel Curtis Johnson School of Management at Cornell University. This intensive 12-week course delved deep into the evolution of AI, from its nascent stages to the transformative power it holds today. Through this course, I have gained invaluable insights into leveraging AI technology for making informed business decisions. I've also learned how to navigate complex challenges such as data privacy and ethical considerations in AI deployment. A special shoutout to the brilliant facilitators whose guidance was instrumental in enhancing my understanding of this complex subject matter. Merav Ozair, PhD ; Henry H. Ngan, MBA, CPA; Joseph Siryani & Professor Dutta In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, I believe it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve. This course has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to understand how emerging technologies will impact business strategies and consumer decision-making. Looking forward to applying these learnings in real-world scenarios! #ecornell #AI #AIstratergy #keeplearning

It is becoming clearer that technology changes behaviours and shapes new norms. Artificial intelligence (AI) is already enabling new ways of being and acting that come with the allure of discreteness that makes things manageable and controlled, speed in how we solve problems, and an excuse of powerlessness that absolves us from any meaningful responsibility. In this Acumen article, I offer three cautions to leaders in the age of AI. ⭐ Everything is connected ⭐ Don't be fooled by the speed and scale that Al guarantees; complex problems require that we think and act slowly ⭐ Create the future you want   This article is timely on three fronts. First, AI has come to stay, and it is evident that its effects will reverberate through all aspects of our lives, including inspiring new definitions of personhood.   Second, a week ago, I received an official confirmation that the University of Johannesburg's Senate Higher Degrees Committee has approved my Ph.D. research study entitled "Decolonising Algorithms: Towards the Making of Epistemically Just Algorithms" and that I have "successfully met the requirements to obtain the degree." Watch the space as I will share more of my reflections and research on AI and society.   Third, I have been preparing for a talk in the Netherlands later this year on the relationship between citizenship, data justice, and democracy. I plan to use this talk to bring together my academic expertise on the ethics and epistemology of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and my work on systems transformation at Reos Partners.   Acumen is a publication of the @Gordon Institute of Business Science. This edition is full of insightful articles. Read here: https://lnkd.in/d4XZvc9p. #Ai #technology #society  

Having had the pleasure to address the members of the Washington State Bar Association today, I am invigorated by the insightful discussions and exchange of ideas that unfolded during the "AI and Human Rights: Legal Perspectives and Dilemmas" seminar organized by the WSBA World Peace Through Law Section. (https://lnkd.in/e8Z9h2Sw) One of the central themes of my presentation, "Cultural Diversity, Ethics, and the Future of AI: Integrating Indigenous Perspectives," was the foundational concept that machines learn from those who instruct them. In the burgeoning landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), the 'input' phase of information is of paramount significance. 🌐 Who Teaches the Machines? Much like a tapestry woven from diverse threads, AI is a reflection, albeit indirectly, of its creators, educators, and the data that feeds its algorithms. The perspectives, values, biases, and knowledge of those behind the scenes invariably imprint upon the technology, subtly shaping its responses, decisions, and interactions with users 🔗 Importance of Input: Understanding this dynamic underscores the vital importance of the input phase. The data we provide, the algorithms we craft, and the parameters we set collectively serve as the learning material for these digital entities. Ensuring that this input is as unbiased, representative, and inclusive as possible is not merely a technical necessity; it's an ethical imperative. In this way, the AI will not only mirrors but also internalizes the kaleidoscopic diversity of human experience and wisdom, ultimately reflecting the rich, variegated tapestry of life itself. 🌿 Indigenous Perspectives: During my presentation, I emphasized the imperative include and to amplify the voices of Indigenous experts, scholars, thinkers, knowledge keepers working on these issues. Indigenous perspectives offer unique and invaluable insights into developing technologies that are not only innovative but also respectful of all forms of life. 🤝 Join the Conversation: As we continue navigating the uncharted waters of AI and ML, engaging in continuous dialogue, reflection, and education is crucial. I warmly invite my LinkedIn community to join this essential conversation. Let's explore together how we can imbue AI with the richness of our diverse human tapestry, making tools that truly understand, respects, and considers all sentient beings. #AI #MachineLearning #Ethics #CulturalDiversity #IndigenousPerspectives

I'm thrilled to share a pivotal moment in my ongoing course, "Data Science - Scaling, Applications, and Ethics." by Aylin Kamelia Caliskan at University of Washington. The latest assignment delved deep into the world of generative AI systems, challenging me to explore their coding intricacies, ethical implications, and real-world applications. Using the stable-diffusion-v1-4 framework, I embarked on a captivating journey of image generation, prompted to create representations of various professions. From chefs to software developers, each prompt unveiled a unique set of images, offering a glimpse into the vast potential of AI creativity. Yet, amidst the excitement, my analysis uncovered a profound truth: the images mirrored societal biases, perpetuating stereotypes and systemic inequalities. The stark disparities between these generated images and real-world demographics ignited a passionate inquiry into the ethical underpinnings of AI development. For example, in the images below, we can see how AI generated all white males for the role of a Chef, while portraying a mixed-gender, non-white representation for a Cook. Similarly, all Nurses were depicted as female, while all Firefighters appeared as male. This revelation has profound implications for human cognition, societal progress, and the very fabric of justice. By recognizing and confronting these biases head-on, we hold the key to shaping a future where AI technologies empower, rather than marginalize, diverse voices and perspectives. This awakening is a wake-up call: biases and ethical hurdles in AI demand our attention. We must dismantle these barriers and cultivate a tech landscape that's fair and inclusive. As I navigate through this eye-opening course, I'm driven to advocate for ethical AI practices, paving the way for a future where technology transcends bias and celebrates the rich diversity of humanity. #DataScience #EthicsInAI #GenerativeAI #InclusiveInnovation #LearningJourney #UW #DSatUW #MSIM