Athlone man shares insights on the ethics of Artificial Intelligence at Dublin event
Athlone man Ciarán O'Connor shared his insights on Artificial Intelligence (AI), as part of a panel discussion held in the Marker Hotel in Dublin last week.
Ciaran is a senior analyst at the Institute of Strategic Dialogue, a non-profit organisation working to reverse the tide of polarisation, extremism and disinformation worldwide.
Last week's event, titled ‘Alice Asks… Is AI a Force for Evil or for Good?’, brought together a panel of experts to explore the importance of ethical considerations in relation to AI, the creative opportunities it presents, and the regulatory frameworks needed to guide its development and implementation on a national and global scale.
Run by Alice Public Relations, one of Ireland’s leading PR agencies, the event was moderated by veteran broadcaster Eileen Dunne.
Other panellists included Barry Scannell, a member of Ireland’s AI Advisory Council and a Partner in William Fry’s Technology Department, specialising in AI; Adele Keane, COO and Creative Director at Augmented Reality start-up Imvizar; and Martina Quinn, Alice founder and CEO and current Chairperson of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Ireland.
Commenting on the event, Alice CEO Martina Quinn said: "I believe society is at a critical juncture at present in terms of deciding on how AI is deployed and used.
"On the one hand, this technology has mind-blowing potential in terms of addressing major global challenges like the climate crisis, healthcare inequalities, and the challenges we face as our populations age.
"However, a very small number of tech titans are currently controlling how AI evolves, and their primary motivation is profit, not societal gain.
"While it has great potential for good, AI also poses horrifying threats for humanity. This technology can be used – and, indeed, is already being used – to further dehumanise warfare and escalate violent conflicts. It has massive implications for how we consume information; for public trust in state institutions; and for democracy worldwide.
"And, on a more day-to-day level, it obviously has consequences for how we work and live, and how our families navigate their lives," she said.