AI And Jobs: Highlighting MKAI’s Impact On ITV News

Richard Foster-FletcherJune 4, 2024

Richard Foster-Fletcher – June 4, 2024

I recently contributed to an ITV News segment that spotlighted Milton Keynes, my hometown, as an emerging AI hub. The city is swiftly evolving, embracing innovation and creating opportunities for all.

🌟 Core Values in Action:

Milton Keynes is not just my home but also the birthplace of MKAI (originally Milton Keynes Artificial Intelligence). In 2022, MKAI underwent a significant transformation, redefining itself as Morality and Knowledge in Artificial Intelligence to better support our global community and stakeholders. This shift was essential in addressing the multifaceted challenges of AI adoption and literacy on an international scale.

The following core values guide our mission:

Ethical AI: At MKAI, we champion the ethical development and deployment of AI technologies. Our commitment is to ensure that AI serves humanity positively and that its benefits are distributed fairly across society.
Inclusive AI: MKAI strives to make AI accessible and beneficial to all. We actively work to include diverse voices and perspectives in AI development and deployment, ensuring that AI technologies are inclusive and equitable.
Responsible AI: Responsibility is at the heart of MKAI’s mission. We advocate for AI that is transparent, accountable, and developed with a focus on long-term societal impacts. Our goal is to foster trust in AI through responsible practices.

📈 Insights on AI and Employment:

During the ITV News segment, I addressed significant concerns about AI’s impact on jobs. While AI undoubtedly enhances productivity and can reduce the need for certain roles, it is essential to recognize that this transition also creates substantial opportunities for innovation. However, these opportunities do not automatically translate into job creation, particularly in the same volume as the roles displaced by AI.

AI tends to create highly skilled roles, but fewer in number compared to the jobs it replaces. This shift necessitates a broader strategy beyond relying on a few large companies and fortunate entrepreneurs to drive innovation. Each company will face a diminishing need for jobs as AI continues to automate simple and repetitive business functions. This reality presents a clear and present requirement: we need to foster an environment where more people can start more companies.

Achieving this is not inevitable; it requires careful planning, targeted legislation, and strategic incentives. It is imperative that we create frameworks that encourage widespread entrepreneurial activity and ensure that the benefits of AI-driven innovation are broadly distributed. Without these measures, the risk of rapid, large-scale displacement looms large, potentially leaving many without the means to participate in the new economy.

I’m pleased to share my contributions to a recent ITV News segment focusing on the burgeoning AI landscape in Milton Keynes. This city is rapidly becoming an AI hub, embracing innovation while fostering opportunities for all.

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Richard’s keynote at our recent EMEA Conference was both enlightening and engaging. His presentation, “AI in Action – Balancing Innovation and Integrity in Decision-Making” adeptly addressed the complex interplay of AI innovation and ethics, enhancing our understanding of these critical issues. Richard combined humour and humility to make the intricate topics of bias and the future of work approachable, while his interactive style enriched our session. We are grateful for his significant contribution to the conference and for advancing the conversation on ethical AI.

Megan Hendricks, Executive Director, MBA Career Services & Employee Alliance

Richard is a great global thought leader in the field of emerging technologies. I really appreciate his passion and work to create awareness about various critical topics like AI ethics, developing and implementing responsible AI, the understanding impact of emerging technologies for the future, and building strong leadership and ways to address climate change challenges. I also highly recommend everyone to listen to his podcast channel “Boundless” which explores fascinating topics around emerging technologies, leadership, and change. Richard is truly inspiring and I love his work.

Abhinav Raje Sr , Product Manager@NAB | Storyteller | Inspiring Ideas Podcast

Richard delivered an insightful and thought-provoking talk on the expansive implications of artificial intelligence on society, the future of work, and ethical considerations. His ability to articulate complex concepts in an accessible manner prompted a dynamic and engaging discussion among attendees. Richard’s presentation not only highlighted the potential risks and rewards of AI adoption but also encouraged a deeper understanding of its impact. The session was very well-received, sparking meaningful dialogue and a multitude of questions from an engaged audience. We are appreciative of Richard’s contribution to our event and his role in advancing the conversation around AI. His expertise and passion for the subject matter were evident and greatly appreciated by all participants.

Andy Murray, Executive Director at Major Projects Association

Richard is a thorough professional who takes his work seriously, is knowledgeable and possibly the best at spreading the word about AI. Richard’s probing questions about this subject, make you think. He gets the best out of you!

Nikhil Malhotra, Chief Innovation Officer, Tech Mahindra

Richard has a unique quality:360° perception. If you want to have a real conversation that goes through every aspect of a topic, Richard is the person you want! Richard takes you further than most people I know. You always end up learning more about yourself and the information you were trying to convey. Richard is boundless indeed and will take you as well as your audience to the next level!

Denis Rothman, AI Expert & Ethicist | Author & Speaker

Richard Foster-Fletcher is an asset to humanity. He brings intelligence and heart to our ever-changing future. He’s a team player who cares about people and their important role on the planet as stewards for future generations. He is a great communicator and thinks outside of the box when creating solutions to difficult problems. Richard also sees the value in healthy partnerships when expanding new ideas. It’s an honor to work with Richard.

Laura Cox, Executive Producer

Richard provided an excellent platform for our discussion, skillfully getting to the heart of the matter and allowing me to share my views effectively. His thoughtful questions, combined with a warm and engaging manner, made for a truly insightful conversation. I appreciated his genuine interest and the respectful way he facilitated our discussion.

Sir Anthony Seldon, Author, Historian and Educator

The physicist John Wheeler once remarked, “We shape the world by the questions we ask.” If that’s so, then Richard is shaping the world. I had the pleasure of joining him as a guest on his podcast and was *profoundly* impressed with the depth, generosity and thoughtfulness of his questions. He’s a star!

Andrew Zolli, Chief Impact Officer at Planet

Richard Foster-Fletcher delivered a truly engaging and thought-provoking keynote at the AI Tomorrow Summit 2024 in Türkiye. His insights into the transformative potential of AI for Türkiye’s economy were both enlightening and impactful. Richard’s emphasis on the pivotal role of generative AI for SMEs, the importance of upskilling, and ethical considerations in AI development resonated deeply with our audience. His ability to articulate complex concepts with clarity and relevance made the session highly valuable. AIPA were thrilled to have Richard speak and look forward to future collaborations.

Ulas Malli, Board Member, AIPA

It would be easy to describe Richard as an inspirational keynote speaker, an energetic and positive founder and a great podcast compere. And these would all be true. But to do so would miss something important and worth talking about. Richard is all about bringing the right people together and then inspiring them to do what they are best at. You can see it in his events, in his podcasts and in his keynote speeches. This positivity, respect and encouragement of everyone else is what makes Richard stands out. Book him. Work with him. Enjoy it.

Ryan Parke, Professional Speaker on Male Mental Health

I have known Richard since the beginning years of MKAI. He is an engaging speaker and leader with the delivery of a world-class orator. If Richard is speaking somewhere, I’m listening in.

Ambassador Terry Earthwind Nichols, Ambassador | International Speaker