Karen Smiley, an AI leader and author, discusses her extensive background in AI and data strategy, her commitment to ethical AI, and the importance of amplifying underrepresented voices in the tech community. She shares insights on building the SheWrites AI community, the ethical implications of AI, and practical applications of technology in everyday life. Karen emphasizes the need for personal AI use policies and the importance of agency in navigating the evolving landscape of AI. Her upcoming book, ‘Everyday Ethical AI,’ aims to provide guidance for families and small businesses on using AI responsibly.

Takeaways

• Karen Smiley has over 30 years of experience in AI and engineering.

• She leads the SheWrites AI community to promote women and non-binary voices in AI.

• Ethical AI is crucial for ensuring diverse perspectives are heard.

• Karen’s podcast amplifies voices from underrepresented demographics in AI.

• The PLANET Framework helps people think responsibly about AI.

• AI can solve real-world problems without being overly complex.

• Personal AI use policies can help individuals navigate technology ethically.

• Community support is vital for emerging writers in the AI space.

• Karen’s upcoming book focuses on practical AI guidance for everyday people.

• The future of AI should prioritize ethical choices and individual agency.

• Everyday Ethical AI: A Guide For Families & Small Businesses

• “We shouldn’t give up our agency so easily.”

• “We need to have more ethical choices so that anybody could get the benefits of all these powerful tools without having to feel like they’re compromising their values. I’m not interested in shaming people for what they’re doing. I’m interested in finding ways that they can protect themselves and putting pressure on the companies to give us better ethical choices.”

• “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.”

Featured

• 📖 Everyday Ethical AI: A Guide For Families & Small Businesses by Karen Smiley: mybook.to/everydayethicalai | Buy book

• 🌐 Karen Smiley’s site: everydayethicalai.com

• ✍️ Karen on Substack: Karen’s Substack

Communities

• 👩‍💻 SheWrites AI Directory & Community

• 🤝 AI Vanguard Society (Mighty Networks) – sponsored by Michael Spencer

Projects & Tools

• 🛰️ Keeper Space – space situational awareness startup

• 🗺️ Human–AI Boundary Map – by Daria Cupareanu

• 📰 Stack Digest tool – by Karen Spinner

People Mentioned

• Michael Spencer – AI Vanguard

• Suzi Travis – AI community writer

• Karolina Zieminski – “Karo (Product With Attitude)”

• Jing Hu - interviewed here on Karen’s 6 ‘P’s in AI Pods (AI6P)

Frameworks

• 🌍 PLANET Framework – People, Language, Agency, Need, Environment, Technique (more on this soon)

Other episodes

• 🎙️ PLANET Collab Podcast (on Spotify)

00:00 - Introduction to Ethical AI and Inclusion

00:46 - Karen Smiley’s Journey into AI

04:27 - Building Community and Amplifying Voices

08:05 - The Importance of Ethical AI

11:40 - Exploring the PLANET Framework

15:45 - Long-term Thinking and Future Implications

16:28 - The Realistic Benefits of AI

22:49 - Creating Personal AI Use Policies

25:04 - Staying Grounded in AI Advocacy

30:41 - Future Projects and Collaborative Efforts

32:27 - Everyday Ethical AI: A Practical Guide

Follow and subscribe for more at PLANETcollab at Substack