Artificial intelligence has arrived, is here to stay, and is likely to transform our work-lives, personal lives and social structures. Exactly how no one is entirely sure.
The potential of AI was very apparent from discussions at the IBM Watson Summit in Auckland on August 16, 2017, and the New Zealand AI Forum ‘Connect’ event that followed.
With the development of data analysis that uses natural conversation as commands rather than code, expert practitioners in various disciplines who are not trained in programming will be able to navigate complex data structures to gain evidence-based insight without the need for analysts. Neural networks can be programmed without coding by using IBM’s Darviz tool.
For more on the future of analysis and AI see 13 year old Tanmay Bakshi’s YouTube channel with over 100 instructional videos.
The attendees at IBM’s event were at pains to point out that AI will not replace humans but will augment what humans can do. However, I wonder how truck drivers feel about autonomous vehicles?
Later in the day at the AI Forum event, New Zealand lawyer Bruce McClintock used historic case law to demonstrate how the issues of foreseeability and negligence are well covered by existing law. But how will we negotiate the issues around human autonomy and freedom that AI is likely to impinge upon. These are societal and moral rather than legal issues.
It is clear that much more thought and research is needed into the social, psychological, ethical, and legal aspects of AI and it’s rapid introduction into our lives.
At Adapt Research, we are very interested in this space, and in collaboration with one of our clients we’ve submitted an opinion piece for publication on these issues (details to come). We will update this blog with further commentary as it emerges.
Click here to contact us if you would like a copy of our report once it is published.
For information on AI issues, see for example:
Strategic Implications:
https://www.chapmantripp.com/Publication%20PDFs/CTIODReportArtificalIntelligence.pdf
Societal Response:
Further research needed:
https://futureoflife.org/data/documents/research_priorities.pdf?x81210
Adapt Research Ltd 