The TWIML AI Podcast (formerly This Week in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence)

How to Be Human in the Age of AI with Ayanna Howard - #460

Mar 1, 2021

Ayanna Howard, the Dean of the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University, is a prominent robotics researcher focusing on human-robot interaction. In this conversation, she dives into her book, exploring the social dynamics between people and AI, including biases that arise from both data and model design. She highlights the ethical responsibilities of AI builders and discusses her transition to OSU, emphasizing future projects that address AI's societal impacts, trust issues during emergencies, and the need for a mindful approach to technology.

35:48

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Episode guests

Ayanna Howard

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Career Transitions and Interactions in Robotics and AI

2min

Trust and Bias in AI: Insights from Human-Robot Interaction

13min

Exploring Emotions: The Intersection of Facial Recognition and AI

3min

Bias in AI: Accountability and Ethical Design

6min

Transitioning Research and Ethics in AI

10min

Today we’re joined by returning guest and newly appointed Dean of the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University, Ayanna Howard.

Our conversation with Dr. Howard focuses on her recently released book, Sex, Race, and Robots: How to Be Human in the Age of AI, which is an extension of her research on the relationships between humans and robots. We continue to explore this relationship through the themes of socialization introduced in the book, like associating genders to AI and robotic systems and the “self-fulfilling prophecy” that has become search engines.

We also discuss a recurring conversation in the community around AI being biased because of data versus models and data, and the choices and responsibilities that come with the ethical aspects of building AI systems. Finally, we discuss Dr. Howard’s new role at OSU, how it will affect her research, and what the future holds for the applied AI field.

The complete show notes for this episode can be found at https://twimlai.com/go/460.

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