Insights from the Intersection of Technology and Ethics
A select gathering of Scotland's tech and business leaders convened at The Data Lab’s AI for Good Event to discuss the potential of artificial intelligence in promoting public and business welfare. The event featured a lineup of speakers, including The Data Lab’s CEO Brian Hills and MSP Daniel Johnson, who emphasized the importance of understanding and properly utilizing technology to address real-world challenges.
AI's Role in Scotland's Economic Challenges
MSP Daniel Johnson highlighted the transformative role AI could play in addressing Scotland's pressing economic issues, such as technological disruption, climate change, and demographic shifts. He advocated for AI to augment the skills of the Scottish workforce rather than replace them, suggesting a future where efficiency and effectiveness are enhanced by intelligent systems.
Pragmatism in the AI Hype: Liz Whitefield's Perspective
Liz Whitefield of Hippo Digital brought a pragmatic approach to the discussion, advising businesses to focus on problem-solving rather than being dazzled by AI's allure. She argued for a fundamental understanding of data literacy and good practices, emphasizing the need to integrate data into all aspects of business strategy before considering the integration of AI.
Data Governance and the NHS: A Case Study
Whitefield used the example of NHS England's online patient records to illustrate the power of good data governance. While highlighting the transformative potential of having 50 million account holders access their records, she also pointed out the challenges, such as the 15 million incorrect registered addresses. Whitefield demonstrated that by addressing data issues, machine learning could be more effectively applied to improve services.
Dr. Elizabeth Fairley: AI with a Conscience
Dr. Elizabeth Fairley of Talking Medicines presented a contrasting view, showcasing how AI can be ethically leveraged to solve specific problems while complying with regulatory standards. Her company’s approach to parsing data from social media to understand patient conversations about medicines exemplifies an ethical application of AI that respects privacy yet provides valuable insights.
DrugGPT: A Leap in Healthcare Intelligence
Talking Medicines has developed their own generative AI model, DrugGPT, which operates within a curated and ethically managed data set to deliver actionable intelligence to their customers. This innovation demonstrates the potential of AI to expedite the ideation process, provided the data is of high quality and managed with care.
Conclusion: The Muted Business Case for AI
The AI for Good event sparked excitement about the possibilities of AI, especially in the realm of public services. However, the consensus for businesses remains cautious. Experts continue to advocate for a foundational approach that prioritizes good data and clear problem identification before employing AI as a solution or process enhancement tool.
