In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.

In today's episode, Alec sits down with Dr. Jill Fain Lehman, an AI research pioneer and senior project scientist at Carnegie Mellon University. Jill is also the recent author of "Private I," a compelling exploration of AI's potential and pitfalls – in the show, she says if you give her the money, she can build the future. Together, they embark on a fascinating discussion about the historical evolution of AI, its current trajectory, and the ethical considerations that accompany its rapid development.

·      Historical Context of AI: Dr. Jill Fain Lehman provides a rich historical perspective on artificial intelligence, tracing its roots back to the 1950s and highlighting significant developments through the decades. She emphasizes the cyclical nature of AI's evolution, noting how past advancements have set the stage for current innovations. Understanding this historical context is crucial for appreciating AI's current state and anticipating future trends.

·      The Importance of Ethical AI Development: The conversation underscores the necessity of integrating ethics into AI development. Jill and Alec discuss the potential societal impacts of AI and the importance of establishing clear guidelines and regulations to ensure AI technologies are developed and used responsibly. This aligns with the ongoing global discourse on AI ethics and the need for frameworks that prioritize human well-being.

·      AI's Role in Enhancing Human Capabilities: Throughout the episode, Jill highlights AI's potential to augment human capabilities rather than replace them. This perspective encourages a collaborative approach to AI, where technology and human skills are seen as complementary.

·      Insights from "Private I": Jill discusses her book "Private I," co-authored with Ashley Watson and Paul Pangara. The novel explores AI that will soon go from fiction to fact, providing readers with a narrative framework to understand AI's potential impacts on society. It serves as a thought-provoking tool for imagining future AI interactions and the ethical questions they may raise.

·      The Future Trajectory of AI: The episode delves into what might come after large language models (LLMs), suggesting that future advancements might involve new technologies or methodologies that further push the boundaries of AI. Jill emphasizes the importance of staying informed and adaptable as AI continues to evolve, encouraging listeners to engage with ongoing research and discussions in the field. 

References

Jill Fain Lehman, PhD, is a Senior Project Scientist at Carnegie Mellon University’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute. With over 40 years of experience in artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and machine learning, Jill has worked with leading organizations like Disney Research, The Rand Corporation, and Carnegie Learning. Jill is the co-author of  Private I, a speculative fiction novel with Ashlei E. Watson and Paul Pangaro, PhD. A new take on classic noir themes, Private I is a mystery thriller rooted in today’s headlines. For fans of speculative fiction and sci-fi thrillers, Private I offers a gripping narrative that combines edge-of-your-seat mystery with profound philosophical questions about AI and humanity. Private I is available on Amazon. The authors appreciate any reviews shared on Goodreads or other social media platforms!

Books:

·      "Private I" by Dr. Jill Fain Lehman, Ashlei Watson, and Paul Pangaro

·      “And then There Were None” by Agatha Christie

 Movies:

·      When Harry Met Sally"

·      "Saving Private Ryan"

 Companies/Schools:

·      Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.

·      Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook)

·      Carnegie Mellon University

·      Yale University

·      Stanford University

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