AI: The Great Equaliser?

Arguments

Artificial intelligence, specifically generative AI, has the potential to transform various industries in Saudi Arabia, contributing significantly to the economy by 2030.

Supporting facts:

• Predictions from PwC about AI’s contribution of $135 billion to Saudi Arabia’s economy by 2030.

• The shift from B2C use cases to a technology that spreads across industries.

• Saudi leadership’s support for AI advancements.

Topics: Artificial Intelligence, Saudi Economy, Generative AI

AI advancements in healthcare, particularly in genetic diseases treatment, present a promising future.

Supporting facts:

• Story of a startup called Nanopalm that uses generative AI for drug formulation for sickle cell disease treatment.

• The quick and cost-effective process of drug formulation through generative AI, reducing from 10-15 years and $3 million to less than two years and $300,000.

• Application of large language models to correlate proteins and enzymes with nanorobots for genetic editing.

• An ongoing trial in the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh for the treatment.

Topics: Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence, Genetic Diseases

AI is a general purpose technology that should not be limited or restricted from everyone

Topics: Artificial Intelligence, General Purpose Technology

Saudi Arabia is pro-innovation and pro-partnership

Supporting facts:

• Saudi Arabia has attracted more than 6.2 billion dollars in AI investment

Topics: Saudi Arabia, Innovation, Partnership

Abdullah AlSwaha recommends working closely with partners in regard to technology leakage

Supporting facts:

• Saudi Arabia has recently acquired EV company Lucid, implying they have stake in ensuring there’s no technology leakage

Topics: US Chips Act, China, Technology Leakage

Saudi Arabia named as the number one digital riser for two consecutive years by The World Economic Forum

Supporting facts:

• Saudi Arabia’s women’s participation in tech has increased from 7% to 35%

• Riyadh is the fifth largest capital for women entrepreneurship

Topics: AI, Digital advancement, Women empowerment in tech, Women entrepreneurship

Report

Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, has the potential to revolutionize various industries in Saudi Arabia, making a significant contribution to the country’s economy by 2030. PwC predicts that AI could boost Saudi Arabia’s economy by an impressive $135 billion in that timeframe.

This highlights the immense economic potential that AI brings. Saudi leadership strongly supports AI advancements, recognizing its transformative power and backing its development. This demonstrates their commitment to technology-driven growth and innovation. In the healthcare sector, AI advancements offer promising prospects, especially in genetic disease treatment.

Startups like Nanopalm are already utilizing generative AI for drug formulation in diseases like sickle cell. Through generative AI, the drug formulation process is becoming quicker and more cost-effective, reducing the time and cost involved. AI is also being applied to correlate proteins and enzymes with nanorobots for genetic editing, showcasing its potential benefits in healthcare.

Ongoing trials in Riyadh’s National Guard Hospital further demonstrate real-world AI applications in genetic disease treatment within Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s pro-innovation stance has attracted substantial investment in AI, surpassing $6.2 billion. This reflects the country’s commitment to fostering innovation and building partnerships.

Saudi Arabia aims to develop its own technological capabilities while collaborating and acquiring new technologies, ensuring inclusivity in the digital age. However, concerns about technology leakage necessitate cautious collaboration. Abdullah AlSwaha recommends working closely with partners to prevent potential risks and protect technological advancements.

In terms of social progress, Saudi Arabia is actively empowering women and youth in the technological landscape. The participation of women in the tech industry has significantly increased, and Riyadh has become a leading center for women entrepreneurship. These efforts highlight Saudi Arabia’s commitment to gender equality and providing opportunities for women in the digital sector.

Saudi Arabia has been recognized as the top digital riser for two consecutive years by The World Economic Forum. This distinction showcases the country’s success in embracing digital transformation and positioning itself as a leader in the digital economy. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia is committed to sustainable development and climate action.

Their energy transition includes a shift towards hydrogen, demonstrating a dedication to reducing carbon emissions and embracing renewable energy sources. In conclusion, AI, specifically generative AI, is set to transform industries in Saudi Arabia and significantly contribute to the country’s economy by 2030.

With strong support from Saudi leadership, ongoing investments, and advancements in key sectors like healthcare, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a frontrunner in the digital age. The country’s commitment to empowering women, fostering innovation, and transitioning towards sustainable development reinforces its drive towards a prosperous and inclusive future.

Arguments

AI will not be the great equaliser, AI will not rescue the SDGs

Supporting facts:

• On current trends, AI is not able to change the direction of progress on the sustainable development goals

Topics: AI, SDGs

We need to enlarge the opportunity space in 2024

Supporting facts:

• 7 million, 70 million innovators from around the world working with AI, working with data can make an impact on the SDGs

• There’s not a single country from Africa in the top 50 in terms of research output in AI

Topics: human resources, digital economy, connectivity, data flows, research output

Investment in human resource, digital economy and connectivity is vital

Supporting facts:

• How do we change the situation in countries like in Africa unless we invest more in the human resource, in the digital economy, in connectivity?

Topics: investment, human resource, digital economy, connectivity

Cross-disciplinary expertise across health and AI is needed

Supporting facts:

• We need to build more cross-disciplinary expertise across health and AI

Topics: health, AI, education

Most countries in the Global South have not yet built the necessary foundation to fully harness AI

Supporting facts:

• Rwanda, India, Bangladesh, and China have made significant progress in leveraging digital transformation.

• Most other countries have yet to build a foundation around data, human resources, compute capacity, etc.

Topics: AI, Global South, Digital Transformation

AI opportunities and use cases are emerging but it’s better to wait and observe

Supporting facts:

• AI use cases in sectors such as financial risk and fraud are developing.

• However, countries need to build up foundational digital infrastructure before fully leveraging AI.

Topics: AI, Emerging Opportunities, Use Cases

Poor nations need to start early in building an AI skillset, focusing on STEM education, cross-disciplinary expertise, and on a whole societal effort

Supporting facts:

• Undergrad classes in medical schools should include data science

• Engineering schools should include medical data and images

Topics: AI, Education, Data Science, Cross-disciplinary, Society Effort

AI is not a great equalizer at this stage

Topics: AI, equality

Report

In an analysis of various viewpoints on the impact of AI on sustainable development goals (SDGs), it was concluded that AI alone cannot significantly change the trajectory of progress towards achieving the SDGs. The argument put forth is that AI will not be the great equaliser and will not rescue the SDGs.

However, it was emphasized that investment in human resources, the digital economy, and connectivity is of vital importance for achieving the SDGs. The argument is that without increased investment in these areas, particularly in countries like those in Africa, it will be difficult to change the current situation.

Another key point highlighted is the need for good governance to effectively manage the risks associated with AI. The risks mentioned include the spread of misinformation and disinformation, exclusion of certain communities, as well as government and corporate surveillance. It is argued that addressing these risks is essential for ensuring that AI is used responsibly and ethically.

There is also a recognition of the importance of cross-disciplinary expertise across health and AI. It is suggested that building expertise in both these fields and fostering collaboration between them is crucial for addressing important challenges in healthcare and leveraging the potential of AI.

While some countries in the Global South, such as Rwanda, India, Bangladesh, and China, have made significant progress in leveraging digital transformation, most other countries in this region have yet to build the necessary foundation for fully harnessing AI. This indicates a need for increased efforts in developing data infrastructure, human resources, and computing capacity in these countries.

Furthermore, the analysis highlights the significance of investment in digital public infrastructure and education, particularly for girls and women. It is argued that investing in these areas would offer better returns compared to investing in AI, as digital technologies have already demonstrated their potential in areas such as financial inclusion.

This suggests that focusing on foundational work in these areas would be a more beneficial initial investment. The analysis also acknowledges the emergence of AI use cases in sectors such as financial risk and fraud. However, it recommends a cautious approach and suggests waiting and observing until foundational digital infrastructure is in place before fully leveraging AI.

In terms of building an AI skillset, it is argued that poor nations need to start early and focus on STEM education, cross-disciplinary expertise, and societal effort. By doing so, it is believed that these nations can overcome challenges and better position themselves to benefit from AI advancements.

There is a recognition that AI has the potential to be a game changer, but it also highlights the need for greater investments in the behavioural science and ethics of AI. It is emphasized that AI may have profound impacts on institutions and society as a whole, and therefore, it is crucial to invest in understanding and managing these effects.

Lastly, it is noted that while AI is currently not considered a great equaliser, it could become one in the future if the right governance is in place. This underlines the importance of establishing effective governance frameworks to harness the potential benefits of AI while mitigating potential risks.

Overall, the analysis reveals the complex and multifaceted nature of the impact of AI on sustainable development goals. While AI has the potential to contribute significantly to achieving the SDGs, it requires a holistic approach that considers investment in human resources, digital infrastructure, good governance, cross-disciplinary expertise, and ethical considerations to fully harness its potential and ensure equitable outcomes.

Arguments

World Economic Forum launched the AI Governance Alliance to advocate responsible AI design, development, and deployment.

Supporting facts:

• The alliance was launched in June 2023.

• It has over 200 organizations and 250 individuals as members.

Topics: AI Governance Alliance, AI design and development, responsible AI

The forum is focused on creating solutions and partnerships to ensure AI benefits all.

Supporting facts:

• This is an ongoing journey and is expected to require significant time and effort.

Topics: AI benefits, Partnerships

Report

The AI Governance Alliance, launched by the World Economic Forum in June 2023, aims to advocate responsible AI design, development, and deployment. It boasts an impressive membership count of over 200 organizations and 250 individuals, all committed to promoting ethical and transparent AI practices.

One of the primary focuses of the alliance is addressing the digital divide. The members agree that bridging the gap in access to technology is crucial, and they propose initiatives such as improving data quality, adapting language models to local contexts, and providing more talent and training.

Recognizing the significance of this issue, the alliance plans to concentrate their efforts on bridging the digital divide in 2024. Moreover, the World Economic Forum is dedicated to fostering partnerships and creating solutions to ensure that AI benefits society as a whole.

By emphasizing collaboration and cooperation, they aim to harness the potential of AI to positively impact various sectors and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). In summary, the World Economic Forum AI Governance Alliance, established in 2023, is a collective effort by numerous organizations and individuals to advocate for responsible AI practices.

Priority areas for the alliance include bridging the digital divide through initiatives such as improving data quality, adapting language models, and providing more talent and training. Additionally, the alliance seeks to create partnerships and solutions to maximize the benefits of AI for all.

Arguments

AI can be a great equalizer in South Korea

Supporting facts:

• In South Korea, roughly 2,000 AI companies are involved in AI operations

• South Korea is one of the countries that lead in digitalization

• Big companies in South Korea are fine-tuning and customizing big AI models towards specific purposes like healthcare, electronic commerce, and climate change

Topics: AI, Digitalization, AI literacy

AI should be the great equalizer, necessitating AI and digital literacy

Supporting facts:

• Korea has announced a digital Bill of Rights, including principles of fairness and solidarity

• Projects with ASEAN are under works to help its countries in their digital transformation

Topics: AI inclusion, digital literacy, AI Safety Summit

Korea endeavors to create global AI awareness and utilization

Supporting facts:

• Korea is exerting efforts in domestic education and training in AI

• Korea is extending help to countries at risk of being left out in the digital transformation

Topics: AI awareness, digital training

Global world and all countries should work collaboratively to promote AI-related trade.

Supporting facts:

• South Korean companies can still operate fabrication facilities in China.

• Trade matters in making AI the real greatest stabilizer.

Topics: AI, Trade policy, Globalization

AI technology may not significantly reduce the number of jobs

Supporting facts:

• AI technology can result in increased productivity and economic growth

Topics: Artificial Intelligence, Employment

Rapid AI innovations should not be restrained by overemphasis on downsides

Supporting facts:

• AI industry will absorb more people for innovation, and the progress it enables will require more services and goods from workers

Topics: Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, Regulations

Equalizer comes with some caveats

Supporting facts:

• People should be more IT-savvy

• We should adjust to the total transformation in the access to knowledge and information

Topics: IT-savviness, Transformation in access to knowledge and information

Report

The analysis highlights South Korea as a leading force in digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) advancements. With approximately 2,000 AI companies actively involved in various operations, South Korea is at the forefront of AI development. These companies focus on fine-tuning and customising AI models for sectors such as healthcare, e-commerce, and climate change.

To maximise AI’s potential and minimise its downsides, South Korea is taking important initiatives. The country will host the second AI Safety Summit and a global digital forum to review previous outcomes and determine future action. These events reflect South Korea’s commitment to addressing the challenges and risks associated with AI.

Furthermore, South Korea is actively promoting global AI awareness and utilisation. The country is investing in domestic AI education and training and providing support to countries at risk of being left behind in the digital transformation process. The analysis also emphasises the importance of collaboration and fair access to AI-related trade.

South Korean companies still have the opportunity to operate fabrication facilities in China, and trade plays a crucial role in harnessing AI’s true potential. Additionally, the analysis highlights the need for a balanced approach to regulations and innovations. While it is important to implement regulations to address potential downsides, rapid AI innovations should not be hindered.

Striking this delicate balance allows for progress within the technology framework. It is worth noting that the analysis acknowledges that AI technology may not significantly reduce job numbers. Instead, it can lead to increased productivity and economic growth. The AI industry has the potential to absorb more people for innovation, and progress enabled by AI will require more services and goods from workers.

Ultimately, while AI has the potential to act as an equaliser, the analysis also recognises the caveats and conditions that come with it. People need to be IT-savvy and adjust to the total transformation in access to knowledge and information.

The concept of AI as an equaliser is supported, but certain conditions and prerequisites should be considered. In conclusion, South Korea’s digitalisation and AI advancements, along with its proactive initiatives and efforts, position it as a leader in the field.

Collaboration, fair access to AI-related trade, a balanced approach to regulations and innovations, and recognising AI’s potential as an equaliser are all key factors that South Korea addresses.

Arguments

Most of the global South is still working on digital adoption

Supporting facts:

• Rwanda turned to the World Bank financing to support digital transformation

Topics: Digital Adoption, Global South

AI will contribute significantly to Saudi Arabia’s economy

Supporting facts:

• PwC predicted that artificial intelligence will contribute $135 billion to the Saudi economy in 2030

• Microsoft’s Nadella believes AI can drive Saudi nation’s fortunes

Topics: Artificial Intelligence, Economic Growth, Saudi Arabia, AI adoption

Concern about access issues related to AI technology

Supporting facts:

• South Korea’s significant role in the global tech industry

• Impact of a multi-polar world on technology

Topics: AI, accessibility, technology, international relations

AI as an equalizer has the potential to disrupt the Google moat

Topics: AI, Google, Business Disruption

Karen Tso questions the ethical considerations in Saudi Arabia’s AI advancement

Supporting facts:

• Saudi Arabia was one of the 28 countries that signed the Bletchley Declaration around the safe development and use of AI

• On the human rights tracker, safety from the state scores low, sub five out of 10.

Topics: AI advancement, ethics, Saudi Arabia

AI may replace as many as 4 million or 14% of South Korea’s jobs over the next two decades

Supporting facts:

• IMF data show developed countries could be most disrupted by AI in their workforces

• South Korea’s central bank has estimated the potential job loss to AI

Topics: Artificial intelligence, Job Loss

Report

The analysis delves into different perspectives on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on various countries and regions. One key finding is that Rwanda has sought financing from the World Bank for its digital transformation. This underscores Rwanda’s active investment in technology to stimulate economic growth and innovation.

However, the report suggests that in the coming year, AI may pose more challenges than opportunities for Rwanda. It mentions assistance received from South Korea Telecom in terms of 4G connectivity but notes that Rwanda lags behind in adopting faster 5G technology, which could impede AI development.

On the other hand, the analysis reveals that Saudi Arabia stands to benefit significantly from AI. PwC predicts that AI will contribute $135 billion to the Saudi economy by 2030. Additionally, Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, believes that AI can drive Saudi Arabia’s economic prosperity.

This highlights the potential for AI to be a major catalyst for economic growth and development in the country. The analysis also expresses concerns about access issues related to AI technology. It points out South Korea’s significant role in the global tech industry and raises questions about how a multi-polar world could affect technology accessibility.

This highlights the need for equitable access to AI technology to prevent further disparities between countries and regions. Another notable argument made in the analysis is the proposition that AI should be kept separate from trade policy. Trade tensions and the looming AI chip war could impede global collaboration and equal access to AI hardware.

This underscores the importance of thoughtful consideration by policy makers regarding the implications of AI on trade and ensuring fair and open access to AI resources. The analysis also discusses the potential for AI to disrupt established monopolies, specifically mentioning Google.

It suggests that AI has the potential to level the playing field by shaking up the dominance of companies like Google. This observation raises compelling questions about how AI may reshape industries and competition in the future. Ethical concerns surrounding AI advancement in Saudi Arabia are also addressed.

The analysis mentions that Saudi Arabia is among the 28 countries that signed the Bletchley Declaration, which focuses on the safe development and use of AI. However, it also highlights concerns about human rights and safety from the state in Saudi Arabia, as evidenced by its low scores on the human rights tracker.

This raises important ethical considerations regarding responsible AI use and potential risks associated with its deployment. The analysis explores potential job loss due to AI, particularly in South Korea. IMF data suggests that developed countries may face the most workforce disruptions due to AI.

South Korea’s central bank estimates that AI could potentially replace up to 4 million jobs, or 14% of the country’s workforce, over the next two decades. This underscores the need for education and workforce training to ensure a workforce prepared for the demands of AI technology.

To sum up, the analysis offers a thorough overview of the impact of AI on different countries and regions. It highlights the opportunities and challenges associated with AI adoption while emphasizing the importance of equitable access to AI technology, the separation of AI from trade policy, and the ethical considerations of AI advancement.

Additionally, it underscores the potential for AI to disrupt established monopolies and underscores the significance of education and training to prepare the workforce for the AI era.

Arguments

AI is more an opportunity for Rwanda

Supporting facts:

• Rwanda has a national AI policy and strategy aiming to build AI capabilities

Topics: AI Policy and Strategy, Digital Transformation

Agriculture is one of the sectors to be heavily impacted

Supporting facts:

• AI models can support with early warning systems for farmers

Topics: Agriculture, AI models

AI can help improve healthcare

Supporting facts:

• Importance of AI was exemplified in the healthcare sector

Topics: Healthcare, AI

AI adoption and fixing digital adoption challenges should be done in parallel

Supporting facts:

• Models using local language support community health workers, which are the front-line workers supporting communities.

• The global south is reportedly more optimistic about AI adoption than the north

Topics: AI adoption, Community Health workers, Digital adoption

Paula Ingabire emphasizes the importance of data and digital functions

Supporting facts:

• Rwanda has been digitizing various functions and services for the past 18 years

• Most government services are online

• The country has a lot of data already

Topics: Data, Digitalization

She acknowledges challenges in hardware access and capacities

Supporting facts:

• Challenges exist because of regional limitations

• She mentions the lack of certain capacities on the African continent

Topics: Hardware, Infrastructure

Partnerships and collaborations are crucial

Supporting facts:

• They have been intentional about partnering with other countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Singapore

• Partners are chosen based on Rwanda’s needs and the value that these countries can bring

Topics: Partnerships, Collaboration

Rwanda’s government digital platform faces issues with access

Supporting facts:

• Government platform provides almost every government service

• 97% population coverage of the 4G network

• Not all covered population are using the platform due to access problem

Topics: digital platform, accessibility

Government is trying to solve access problem by creating programs

Supporting facts:

• Digital Ambassadors Program aimed at training rural communities on basic digital literacy skills

• Created a model with a repayment plan to support citizens get a smartphone at $16

Topics: government intervention, access problem

Paula Ingabire believes that digital inclusion is possible if we ensure the availability of compute infrastructure skills in all economies

Topics: Digital Inclusion, Economic Development, Infrastructure Skills

Report

Rwanda has implemented a national AI policy and strategy, demonstrating its commitment to harnessing the potential of AI. This initiative presents an opportunity for the country to leverage AI in various sectors. The first notable sector that can benefit from AI is community management.

AI has the potential to enhance the way technology is applied from one country to another, thus improving community management practices in Rwanda. In addition to community management, agriculture is another sector that is expected to be heavily impacted by AI.

AI models can support farmers by providing early warning systems, which can help with crop yield optimisation and mitigate the effects of climate change. This advancement in agriculture can contribute towards the achievement of SDG 2: Zero Hunger. Furthermore, the healthcare sector stands to gain significant improvements through the adoption of AI.

The importance of AI in healthcare was exemplified, showcasing its potential to revolutionise medical practices and improve patient outcomes. AI has the capability to enhance diagnostics, drug discovery, and personalised medicine, among other areas. To ensure the successful adoption of AI, it is crucial to address digital adoption challenges in parallel.

AI adoption and fixing digital adoption challenges should go hand in hand. Models using local languages can support community health workers, who are essential frontline workers in supporting communities. Interestingly, the Global South, including Rwanda, appears to be more optimistic about AI adoption compared to the North.

Rwanda has been digitising various functions and services for nearly two decades, and most government services are now available online. The country has accumulated a considerable amount of data, emphasising the importance of data and digital functions. However, challenges exist in terms of hardware access and capacities, particularly due to regional limitations.

Paula Ingabire acknowledges these challenges and highlights the need for partnerships and collaborations to overcome them. Partnerships and collaborations with other countries have been pursued intentionally by Rwanda. They have partnered with nations such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Singapore based on their specific needs and the value these countries can bring.

The approach is to identify needs and find the best partners to meet them, rather than picking sides. Although Rwanda’s government digital platform provides access to almost all government services and has 97% population coverage of the 4G network, there are issues with accessibility.

The primary reasons for this are cost affordability and lack of digital literacy. Some individuals cannot afford the cost of devices, and there is a need to improve digital literacy among the population. To address the access problem, the Rwandan government has implemented programs such as the Digital Ambassadors Program, which aims to train rural communities in basic digital literacy skills.

Additionally, they have introduced a repayment plan that supports citizens in acquiring smartphones at an affordable price of $16. Paula Ingabire believes that achieving digital inclusion is possible by ensuring the availability of compute infrastructure skills in all economies. She supports providing access to compute infrastructure skills to all economies, emphasising the importance of digital inclusion to drive economic development and reduce inequalities.

In conclusion, Rwanda has made significant strides in implementing AI policies and strategies, creating an opportunity for the country to harness the potential of AI across various sectors. By addressing digital adoption challenges, partnering with other countries, and improving accessibility and digital literacy, Rwanda is positioning itself as a leader in digital transformation and promoting sustainable development.

Arguments

AI has the potential to democratize healthcare and improve lives globally

Supporting facts:

• Alphabet is investing significantly in AI, incorporating it in products for over a decade

• AI can leverage a large number of medical scans to aid diagnosis

• AI can early detect metastatic cancer and diabetic retinopathy which affects hundreds of millions of people globally

Topics: AI in healthcare, Global health, Diagnosis

AI is included in a wide range of products and can bring efficiencies

Supporting facts:

• AI has been in Alphabet’s products for over a decade

• Billions of people are using AI in various forms like search, photos, language translations, and cloud services

Topics: Product development, AI in products, Efficiency

AI can address global issues only with proper safeguards in place

Supporting facts:

• Guardrails need to be put in place for cybersecurity

• Watermarking can help ensure authenticity

• Transparency and quality of information are essential

Topics: AI, Cybersecurity, Authenticity, Transparency

Connectivity is crucial for AI to be beneficial globally

Supporting facts:

• A third of the globe is still not online

• Google has built out about a quarter of the infrastructure needed to power the internet

Topics: AI, Connectivity, Economic growth

Workforce skilling is important to cope with technological transitions

Supporting facts:

• More jobs will be created than lost in this technology transition

• Google is working on workforce skilling through a program called Growth Google

Topics: AI, Workforce skilling, Reskilling, Job creation

Building a healthy business requires global infrastructure and services

Supporting facts:

• Google is building infrastructure that connects the globe

Topics: AI profits, Shareholder Value, Tech for Good

AI has the potential to equalize companies and benefit every industry

Supporting facts:

• Google has made substantial investment in technical infrastructure, enabling other companies to piggyback on it

• AI contributes to revenue acceleration and expense management

Topics: AI, Datacenter analytics, Cybersecurity, Innovation Ecosystem, Expense management

More jobs are created than lost with the advent of technology change

Supporting facts:

• During the introduction of the automobile, 500,000 jobs were lost, including carriage drivers and others, but seven and half million jobs were created through manufacturing and the supply chain

Topics: Technology Change, Employment, Industrial Revolution

The speed of change and transition in the current technological landscape may be faster and require careful planning

Topics: AI, Digital literacy, Technological Transition

Report

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise various aspects of global society. It can democratise healthcare by aiding in the early detection and diagnosis of diseases. For example, AI can leverage a large number of medical scans to aid in diagnosing conditions such as cancer and diabetic retinopathy, which affect millions of people worldwide.

This has the potential to significantly improve healthcare outcomes and save lives. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has been investing significantly in AI and incorporating it into products for over a decade. AI can also address global issues such as food security and climate change.

By improving crop yields, AI can benefit farmers and help address global food shortages. Additionally, AI can provide early warning systems for disasters like floods, which affect millions of people globally. These applications of AI can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 13: Climate Action.

In addition to healthcare and addressing global issues, AI is already integrated into many products and can bring efficiency improvements. Billions of people are using AI in various forms such as search, photos, language translations, and cloud services. This widespread adoption of AI demonstrates its potential to enhance people’s lives and bring about positive changes in various industries.

Alphabet’s investment in AI technology and infrastructure has enabled other companies to benefit from and utilise AI technologies as well. However, it is important to have proper safeguards in place for cybersecurity, authenticity, and transparency. Guardrails need to be implemented to ensure the security of AI systems and to protect against potential cyber threats.

Watermarking technology can also play a role in ensuring the authenticity of AI-generated content. Additionally, transparency and the quality of information are essential in building trust in AI systems and preventing any potential misuse. Connectivity is crucial for AI to have a global impact.

Currently, a third of the global population is still not online, and Google has been working on building the infrastructure needed to power the internet. By improving connectivity worldwide, more people can access and benefit from AI technologies, contributing to the development and empowerment of communities globally.

While the introduction of AI technology may result in job losses in certain sectors, it also creates new job opportunities. It is estimated that more jobs will be created than lost in this technology transition. To cope with this transition, workforce skilling and upskilling programmes are crucial.

Google has been actively involved in providing digital skilling programmes in areas such as IT support, cybersecurity, data analytics, and AI training. These programmes can be completed in a relatively short time frame, allowing individuals to acquire new skills and adapt to the changing job market.

In conclusion, AI has the potential to revolutionise various aspects of global society. From improving healthcare outcomes to addressing global issues such as food security and climate change, AI can bring about positive changes and enhance people’s lives. However, it is important to have proper safeguards in place to address concerns related to cybersecurity and transparency.

Furthermore, ensuring connectivity and implementing effective workforce skilling programmes are crucial for AI to have a global impact and for individuals to adapt to the changing job market. Overall, AI has the potential to benefit society, but it must be accompanied by responsible and inclusive implementation.