Pondering AI

Yonah Welker is a technology innovator, influencer, and advocate for diversity and zero exclusion in AI. They are at the forefront of policies and applications for adaptive, assistive, and social AI.  In this illuminating discussion, Yonah traces their personal journey from isolation to advocacy through technology. They are passionate about the future of AI-enabled education, healthcare, and civics. Yet caution that our current approach to inclusion is not, in fact, inclusive. While evaluating mechanisms for accountability, Yonah shares lessons learned from the European Commission’s diverse approach to technology evaluation.   Yonah has an expansive view of how AI can “change everything” for those who experience life differently – whether they are autistic, neurodiverse, disabled or dyslexic. Kimberly and Yonah discuss how AI is expanding the borders of the classroom and workplace today. And how these solutions can inadvertently reinforce existing barriers if not mindfully applied. This leads naturally to the need for broad community collaboration and human involvement beyond traditional corporate boundaries. Yonah highlights our responsibilities as digital citizens and the critical debate over digital ownership. Finally, Yonah emphasizes that we are all, at our core, activists who can influence the trajectory of AI.  A transcript of this episode can be found here. Our next episode features Dr. Valérie Morignat PhD. Valerie is the CEO of Intelligent Story and a leading advisor on the creative economy who works at the intersection of art and AI. Subscribe now so you don’t miss it. 

Dr. Eric Perakslis, PhD is the Chief Science and Digital Officer at the Duke Clinical Research Institute.  In this incisive discussion, Eric exposes the curious nature of healthcare data. He proposes treating data like a digital specimen: one that requires clear consent and protection against misuse. Expanding our view beyond the doctor’s office, Eric shows why adverse effects from data misuse can be much harder to cure than a rash. As well as our innate human tendency to focus on technology’s potential while overlooking patient vulnerabilities. While discussing current data protections, Eric lays the foundation for a shift from privacy toward non-discrimination. Along the way, Kimberly and Eric discuss the many ways anonymous data can compromise patient privacy and the research it underpins. In doing so, a critical loophole in existing institutional review boards (IRB) and regulatory safeguards is exposed. An avid data advocate, Eric adroitly argues that proper patient and data protection will accelerate innovation and life-saving research. Finally, Eric makes a case for doing the hard things first and why the greatest research opportunities are rooted in equity.  A transcript of this episode can be found here. Our next episode features Yonah Welker. They are a ‘tech explorer’ and leading voice regarding the need for diversity and zero exclusion in AI as well as the role of social AI. Subscribe now so you don’t miss it.  

Dr. Ansgar Koene is the Global AI Ethics and Regulatory Leader at Ernst & Young (EY), a Sr. Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham and chair of the IEEE P7003 Standard for Algorithm Bias Considerations working group.  In this visionary discussion, Ansgar traces his path from robotics and computational social science to the ethics of data sharing and AI. Drawing from his wide-ranging research, Ansgar illustrates the need for true stakeholder representation; what diversity looks like in practice; and why context, critical thinking and common sense are required in AI. Describing some of the more subtle yet most impactful dilemmas in AI, Ansgar highlights the natural tension between developing foresight to avoid harms whilst reacting to harms that have already occurred. Ansgar and Kimberly discuss emerging regulations and the link between power and accountability in AI. Ansgar advocates for broad AI literacy but cautions against setting citizens and users up with unrealistic expectations. Lastly, Ansgar muses about the future and why the biggest challenges created by AI might not be obvious today. A full transcript of this episode can be found here.Thank you for joining us for Season 1 of Pondering AI. Join us next season as we ponder the ways in which AI continues to elevate and challenge our humanity. Subscribe to Pondering AI now so you don’t miss it.  

Lama Nachman is an Intel fellow and the director of Intel’s Human & AI Systems Research Lab. She also led Intel’s Responsible AI program. Lama’s team researches how AI can be applied to deliver contextually appropriate experiences that increase accessibility and amplify human potential.  In this inspirational discussion, Lama exposes the need for equity in AI, demonstrates the difficulty in empowering authentic human interaction, and why ‘Wizard of Oz’ approaches as well as a willingness to go back to the drawing board are critical. Through the lens of her work in early childhood education to manufacturing and assistive technologies, Lama deftly illustrates the ethical dilemmas that arise with any AI application - no matter how well-meaning. Kimberly and Lama discuss why perfectionism in the enemy of progress and the need to design for uncertainty in AI. Speaking to her quest to give people suffering from ALS back their voice, Lama stresses how designing for authenticity over expediency is critical to unlock the human experience.  While pondering the many ethical conundrums that keep her up at night, Lama shows how an expansive, multi-disciplinary approach is critical to mitigate harm. Any why cooperation between humans and AI maximizes the potential of both.  A full transcript of this episode can be found here. Our final episode this season features Dr. Ansgar Koene. Ansgar is the Global AI Ethics and Regulatory Leader at EY and a Sr. Research Fellow who specializes in social media, data ethics and AI regulation. Subscribe now to Pondering AI so you don’t miss him. 

Shalini Kantayya is a storyteller, social activist, and filmmaker who explores challenging social topics with empathy and humor. Shalini’s film Coded Bias debunks the myth that AI algorithms are objective by nature. In this thought-provoking discussion, Shalini illustrates why film is a powerful medium for social change (hint: it’s about empathy), shares her belief that humans – not machines – must reinvent the future, and shows how inclusion and a focus on the human experience are critical to get AI right.  Shalini artfully traces the inspiration for Coded Bias and the danger in ceding human autonomy to any unintelligent system. Kimberly and Shalini discuss why good intent and a sole focus on fairness and bias are not enough when considering AI’s future. Highlighting the work of researchers such as Dr. Timnit Gebru and Joy Buolamwini, Shalini makes the case for inclusion in AI and shares a proven recipe for moving the dial on ethical AI. Finally, Shalini speaks to the need for empathy in all things – including toward our innate human propensity for bias. And how storytelling keeps the human experience front-and-center, allowing us to cross boundaries and open hearts and minds to a different point of view.   A full transcript of this episode can be found here. Our next episode features Lama Nachman. Lama leads Intel’s Human & AI Systems Research Lab where she directs some of the most impactful work - such as giving people back their voice - in applied AI today. Subscribe now to Pondering AI so you don’t miss her. 

Teemu Roos is the lead instructor of the Elements of AI online course which has a pivotal role in Finland's unique, inclusive AI strategy. Teemu is also a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Helsinki and leader of the AI Education programme at the Finnish Center for AI.In this encouraging discussion, Teemu shares how an insatiable appetite for discovery led to a career as a ML researcher and educator. His excitement about projects ranging from astrophysics to neonatal brain development highlight AI’s endless potential and the importance of imagination and curiosity.  Teemu deftly explains why homogeneity makes doing good AI hard. He enthusiastically demonstrates how collaboration between data scientists, experts and laypersons exposes otherwise hidden opportunities. Kimberly and Teemu discuss the need for broad citizen engagement in AI and why the target audience for Elements of AI is “everyone who isn’t interested in AI”. And why we must focus on ethics and privacy now. With humor and optimism, Teemu helps us envision a future where everyone is informed, passionate and actively engaged in AI. A full transcript of this episode can be found here.Our next episode features Shalini Kantayya. Shalini is a filmmaker, activist, and self-proclaimed sci-fi fanatic. Her documentary Coded Bias exposes the biases and inequalities that can lurk within AI algorithms. Subscribe to Pondering AI now so you don’t miss her. 

Beena Ammanath is the Executive Director of Deloitte’s AI Institute and leads their Trustworthy AI practice. She is a seasoned executive with global cross-industry experience and has been a board member and advisor to numerous tech startups. Beena is also the founder of the non-profit Humans For AI.In this insightful discussion, Beena traces AI ethics from click-bait to operational reality. She explores the interplay between R&D, value creation and ethics and why expecting – and adapting to - the unexpected is key to trustworthy AI. Using practical examples, Beena illustrates why AI ethics go beyond fairness and bias and why principles do, in fact, matter. Kimberly and Beena discuss how AI challenges traditional views of privacy and how companies can make ethics real. Beena provides guidance on leveraging ethical frameworks and why ethical evaluations are not one-size-fits-all or once-and-done. Finally, Beena shares her hope that lessons learned from AI will inform adoption of technologies such as AR/VR and quantum computing.  A full transcript of this episode can be found here. Our next episode features Teemu Roos. Teemu is the lead instructor of the Elements of AI online course that has a pivotal role in Finland's unique, inclusive AI strategy, with over 650,000 participants to date. Teemu is also a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Helsinki and leader of the AI Education programme at the Finnish Center for AI. His research focuses on future applications of machine learning. Subscribe to Pondering AI now so you don’t miss him. 

Renée Cummings is a criminologist, criminal psychologist, AI ethics evangelist and data activist in residence at the University of Virginia.  In this compelling discussion, Renée shares her journey from journalism to the judiciary and into AI. She articulates the power of perspective, why intersectionality and imagination are key to AI’s future, and the extraordinary good we can accomplish with AI in all domains - including policing. If, that is, we vigilantly guard against creating a future modeled only on the past.  Renée is comfortable being uncomfortable and believes this is vital when developing AI systems. Kimberly and Renée discuss the need for balance in solving the thorniest AI dilemmas. Technology or thinking? Risk- or right-based assessment? Debiasing data or the mind? Social sciences or STEM? Renée broadens our understanding of why diverse tactics produce better AI. And why authenticity and the courage to admit when we get it wrong (because we will) will create an AI legacy we can all be proud of. A full transcript of this episode can be found here.  Our next episode will feature Beena Ammanath, Executive Director of Deloitte’s Global AI Institute and founder of the non-profit Humans for AI. Subscribe to Pondering AI now so you don’t miss it. 

Tess Posner is an educator, social entrepreneur, CEO of AI-4-All and an avid advocate for diversity, inclusion and equity in the tech economy. In this inspiring and insightful discussion, Tess shares her mission to make technology and education accessible to all, inspiring work being done by rising student leaders in the AI-4-All Changemaker community, some eye-opening statistics on the state of diversity in AI, research on bias in today’s AI systems, and the importance of not letting cynicism rule the day.Tess’s passion is infectious as she explains why AI literacy and education cultivates future leaders, not just future data scientists. Kimberly and Tess talk about the hard but necessary work of creating diverse, inclusive cultures and why the benefits go far beyond positive optics. As well as why viewing technology as a silver bullet is fraught and the importance of unlocking human potential. Finally, Tess identifies tangible actions individuals, organizations, and communities can take today to ensure everyone benefits from AI tomorrow. A full transcript of this episode can be found here. Our next episode features Renée Cummings: a criminologist, criminal psychologist and AI ethics evangelist who is passionate about keeping the human experience at the center of AI. Subscribe to Pondering AI now so you don’t miss it.  

Michael Kanaan is the author of the best-selling book T-AI and the former chairperson of AI for the U.S. Air Force, Headquarters Pentagon.In this far-reaching discussion, Michael provides perspectives on the peril of anthropomorphizing AI and how differentiating between intelligence and consciousness creates clarity. He shares his own reckoning with humility while writing T-AI, popular misconceptions about AI, where we can go awry in addressing – or not addressing – AI’s inherent dualities, pros and cons of the technology’s ready availability, and why unflinching due diligence is critical to deploying AI safely, ethically, and responsibly.After a brief diversion into the perils of technology that is too responsive to our whims (ahem, social media), Kimberly and Michael discuss the importance of bridging the digital divide so everyone can contribute to and benefit from AI. Michael also makes the case for how AI may have the greatest impact on subject matter experts and decision makers and why explainability is overrated. And, finally, why AI’s future will be determined not by data scientists but by artists, sociologists, teachers and more.A transcript of this episode can be found here.Our next episode will feature Tess Posner: an educator, social entrepreneur, and CEO of AI-4-All. Subscribe to Pondering AI now so you don’t miss it.