A recent announcement reveals that a university in the United States is set to receive a whopping $20 million in federal funding to develop a new AI institute, aiming to revolutionize the way we approach decision-making procedures in social circumstances. Located at the University of Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the AI Institute for Societal Decision Making hopes to develop AI tools to aid in managing situations such as natural disasters and public health events.
Spearheaded by Aarti Singh, a professor at the university’s machine learning department, this initiative seeks to create AI technology built on vetted data and algorithms that put people first. In a statement, Singh emphasized the importance of developing AI that is “human-centric,” with the aim of helping decision makers and officials make more informed decisions across various scenarios.
The project will involve researchers collaborating with public health officials, emergency managers, community workers, behavioral and cognitive scientists, who will all contribute to the development and training of new AI tools. While the potential for AI to improve our decision-making processes is exciting, it’s crucial to remember that the ethical use of AI must always be considered, as stressed by Singh herself.
As governments worldwide begin exploring the use of AI for policies and regulations, we must be careful of the potential risks it poses. Romania recently unveiled an AI chatbot designed to crowdsource public engagement and needs to help inform policy decisions. Simultaneously, major players, including the United States and China, are in the process of contemplating new regulations around AI technology.
Meanwhile, the European Union is finalizing a new AI Act, focusing on guidelines for generative AI tools, displaying a collective effort to ensure responsible AI use. It raises the question of whether new technology, such as blockchain, can truly improve trust in the AI landscape and tackle the “moral responsibility” for creating ethical and useful AI systems.
In summary, while the establishment of the AI Institute for Societal Decision Making is a significant step towards developing innovative AI technology to aid in decision-making procedures in social circumstances, it also highlights the importance of ethical considerations and regulations surrounding AI. It’s imperative to find a balance whereby AI technology benefits society while implementing adequate measures to mitigate any risks that may arise. Only time will tell if global leaders will succeed in navigating this delicate balance.
Source: Cointelegraph
