What I Hope Audiences Take Away from My Talks (1)

What I Hope Audiences Take Away from My Talks: A Balanced View on AI

Richard Foster-FletcherJuly 17, 2024

When addressing audiences, my primary aim is to inspire cautious optimism about our future with AI. I want people to see the potential for AI to create a better, more equitable world. Recently, during a workshop, I was asked about the impacts of AI, which led me to reflect on our current lifestyles. In the UK, we enjoy many comforts that come at a cost to others around the world, who often endure less favourable conditions to support our way of life.

The Global Opportunity of AI

AI offers a unique opportunity to change this dynamic by improving conditions globally. However, this transformation won’t happen automatically. The benefits of AI, often referred to as the AI dividend, stem from increased productivity and efficiency. These gains must be directed thoughtfully to ensure they benefit society as a whole, not just a privileged few.

Reinvesting AI Gains into Society

For businesses, this means not merely using AI to cut costs and increase profits but reinvesting those gains into areas that enhance the workforce and society. This includes using AI to create new job opportunities, support employee wellness, and drive grassroots innovation. These steps are crucial to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities.

The Risk of Entrenching Inequality

One of the most significant risks is that without proper guidance, the AI dividend will be used to further entrench the wealth and power of a small elite. This could lead to a scenario where the majority of people are marginalised, relying on basic income schemes without meaningful work. Such an outcome would represent a return to a feudal system, with a small number of wealthy individuals controlling the bulk of resources.

Advocating for Equitable AI Policies

To avoid this, we must advocate for policies that ensure the benefits of AI are widely shared. This involves pushing for transparency in AI development, ensuring that AI systems are built and deployed ethically, and holding companies accountable for how they use AI. It’s about recognising that the data and insights that fuel AI come from all of us, and thus the benefits should return to all of us.

Inspiring Action Through Engagement

In my speeches, I hope to leave audiences with the understanding that while AI holds great promise, realising its potential requires active and thoughtful engagement from everyone. We need to foster innovation, support equitable growth, and ensure that the advancements we make in AI technology lead to a better future for all.

Key Questions We Need to Ask

How can businesses use AI to benefit society broadly?
- Beyond cost-cutting and profit increases, how can AI reinvestment create new job opportunities and support societal growth?
What measures can ensure AI’s benefits are shared widely?
- How can transparency in AI development and ethical deployment practices prevent the concentration of wealth and power?
How do we prevent a return to a feudal-like system?
- What policies can ensure meaningful work and equitable resource distribution in the age of AI?
What role do data and insights play in AI equity?
- How can we ensure that the data contributing to AI advancements benefits all contributors fairly?
How can we foster a culture of innovation and ethical AI use?
- What steps can be taken at both corporate and societal levels to promote ethical AI practices and support sustainable innovation?

By addressing these questions, we can navigate the complexities of AI integration and create a more equitable, innovative future. The potential of AI to transform society is immense, but it requires a collective effort to ensure these advancements benefit everyone, not just a select few.

Written by

Richard Foster-Fletcher

Richard stands at the forefront of ethical artificial intelligence as an AI Advisor, Author, Speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice. He is the visionary behind MKAI.org (Morality and Knowledge in Artificial Intelligence), an initiative dedicated to fostering AI’s responsible development and application. Through his stewardship of the Boundless Podcast, Richard delves into discussions about AI inclusivity and digital ethics, contributing to a more equitable technological future. His profound insights have illuminated lecture halls at globally renowned institutions, including the London School of Economics (LSE), University College London (UCL), Oxford University, and Imperial College London, guiding the next generation of tech leaders.

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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 has the unique ability to bring out the best in a person. He has three rare qualities to achieve that: incredible empathy, a deep cultural background, and an open mind second to none! I’ve been interviewed all my life on national television, radio, newspapers, conferences, and podcasts. Richard tops them all! He pierces right through the surface with his eagle vision into the core of how we perceive life. My mind sees connections everywhere and in everything. Richard sees that in everybody. Do not miss a chance to sit down and talk with Richard! You will probably learn incredible things about yourself, your work, and the world! Talking with Richard will take you to the next level.

Denis Rothman, AI Expert & Ethicist | Author & Speaker

I thoroughly enjoyed my recent conversation with Richard Foster-Fletcher. His thoughtful approach to the important intersections of AI, ethics, and education allowed us to explore critical issues in a way that was both engaging and insightful. Richard brings a unique perspective to these discussions, and I appreciated the depth and clarity with which he led our conversation.

Dan Ariely, Professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University

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’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 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 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

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 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

Richard delivered a truly engaging and thought-provoking session at our Director As Strategic Leader programme. His insights into the opportunities and challenges of AI were both enlightening and inspiring. Richard highlighted the need to channel AI advancements into creating new roles and fostering grassroots innovation, emphasising the importance of responsible AI development. His ability to articulate complex concepts in an accessible manner made the session highly impactful. Richard’s emphasis on transparency, accountability, and aligning AI with human values resonated deeply with our participants. We were delighted to have him speak and look forward to future collaborations.

Graham Bell, Director of Digital Education at Cranfield School of Management