Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation have gone from buzzwords to transformative technologies that are reshaping every aspect of our personal and professional lives. From self-driving cars to advanced fraud detection systems, automated AI is taking on larger roles across every industry.
Automated AI has the potential to solve some of society’s most vexing problems, but it also creates new challenges.
At the 2019 CompTIA DC Fly-In, a panel of tech leaders and academics came together to discuss how AI in the workplace is impacting job growth and economic prosperity, and keys to promoting thoughtful AI policies.
The panel was moderated by Steve Levine, Future Editor at Axios, and included Alexandra Givens, Executive Director at the Institute for Technology Policy at Georgetown University Law Center; John Sipple, Senior Software Engineer at Machine Learning at Google and Specialist in AI for DIUx; and Chloe Autio, Policy Analyst, Corporate and Government Affairs for Intel Corp.
Here are three key takeaways from the discussion:
Changes in Tech Require Changes in Training
There’s no doubt that AI puts certain jobs at risk, but the World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates in its “The Future of Jobs Report 2018” that while 75 million jobs may be displaced, 133 million jobs may emerge as humans and machines work together in the future.
Panelists discussed how as jobs are redefined and new occupations are created, it’s critical for current workers to re-skill and diversify their talent to seize new opportunities in the workplace. Additionally, schools must ensure their courses align with what the future of the industry – and the world – will look like so they can prepare students to thrive in a 21st Century workforce.
For Government, Coordination is Key
It can be hard to keep up with rapid changes in AI technology, which is why panelists discussed the critical need for coordination between government agencies. As policymakers explore ways to promote technologies such as autonomous vehicles, it’s paramount to be mindful of safety implications and resist over-regulation that could hinder development.
Legislation such as the AV Start ACT, SELF DRIVE ACT, and AV 3.0 have been introduced to establish framework for safe testing, development and deployment of automated vehicle technology and to clarify the role of both federal and state government in the autonomous vehicle ecosystem.
Responsible Adoption Starts with Education
Ensuring AI is adopted in a responsible way requires a deep understanding of how automated systems are designed and the various ways they come to conclusions. For businesses and organizations implementing AI systems, panelists discussed the critical need to train those who will use them so they can evaluate and critique the system, and determine if human override is necessary.
