AI: The Great Equalizer? – Insights from World Economic Forum Session

At a session titled ‘AI: The Great Equalizer?‘ during the World Economic Forum, speakers shared nuanced perspectives on AI. The discourse encompassed the potential benefits, challenges, and responsibilities associated with AI, featuring insights from Cathy Li, Ruth Porat, Abdullah AlSwaha, Han Duck-soo, Paula Ingabire, and Amandeep Singh Gill. Here are the key points from each speaker, shedding light on the diverse facets of AI discussed during the session.

Cathy Li – Advocating responsible AI governance

Cathy Li, representing the World Economic Forum AI Governance Alliance, highlighted the alliance’s mission to advocate for responsible AI design, development, and deployment. With over 200 organisations and 250 individuals committed to ethical and transparent AI practices, the alliance’s primary focus is on addressing the digital divide. Initiatives such as improving data quality, adapting language models, and providing talent and training underscore their commitment to bridging this gap, with 2024 earmarked for concentrated efforts.

Ruth Porat – AI’s revolutionary impact on society

Ruth Porat, from Alphabet/Google, emphasised AI’s potential to revolutionise healthcare, food security, and climate change. Alphabet’s decade-long investments in AI and its integration into products were outlined. The significance of safeguards for cybersecurity, authenticity, and transparency was stressed. Connectivity emerged as a crucial factor for global impact, with Google actively working on building internet infrastructure. Ruth acknowledged the potential job losses due to AI but highlighted the creation of new opportunities and the importance of workforce skilling.

Abdullah AlSwaha – Saudi Arabia’s AI economic boost

Abdullah AlSwaha presented Saudi Arabia’s stance on AI, specifically generative AI. Projections by PwC indicated a substantial boost of $135 billion to the Saudi economy by 2030. The leadership’s strong support for AI advancements, applications in healthcare, and commitment to sustainable development and gender equality were key highlights. AlSwaha also emphasised the need for cautious collaboration to prevent technology leakage and the importance of empowering women and youth in the technological landscape.

Han Duck-soo – South Korea’s leadership in AI advancements

Han Duck-soo shed light on South Korea’s role as a leading force in digitalization and AI advancements. Initiatives to maximize AI potential while addressing challenges were outlined, including hosting the second AI Safety Summit and a global digital forum. Collaboration, fair access to AI-related trade, and a balanced approach to regulations were identified as key components of South Korea’s strategy.

Paula Ingabire – Rwanda’s commitment to AI policies

Paula Ingabire highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to harnessing AI’s potential through national policies and strategies. The potential impact on community management, agriculture, and healthcare was discussed. Challenges in digital adoption, hardware access, and digital literacy were acknowledged, with the government implementing programs such as the Digital Ambassadors Program to address them. Ingabire stressed the importance of partnerships, collaborations, and achieving digital inclusion for economic development.

Amandeep Singh Gill – AI and sustainable development goals (SDGs)

Amandeep Singh Gill provided a holistic perspective on AI’s role in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). Emphasizing that AI alone may not be the great equalizer, the analysis called for increased investment in human resources, the digital economy, and connectivity. Good governance, cross-disciplinary expertise, and ethical considerations were highlighted as crucial elements in effectively managing the risks associated with AI.

Karen Tso – Regional perspectives on AI impact

Karen Tso delved into different perspectives on AI’s impact on various countries. Rwanda’s active investment in technology through financing from the World Bank was noted, while concerns were raised about AI access issues and potential challenges for Rwanda. Saudi Arabia’s substantial economic benefit from AI, South Korea’s role in the global tech industry, and the potential for AI to disrupt established monopolies were explored. Ethical considerations regarding responsible AI use and human rights, as well as concerns about job loss in South Korea, were discussed.