Beijing Hosts Tech with Heart, AI for Good Panel Discussion as AI Continues to Shape Industries and Human Life

Beijing Hosts Tech with Heart, AI for Good Panel Discussion as AI Continues to Shape Industries and Human Life

BEIJING, Dec 29, 2024 - In a recent panel discussion organized by Science and Technology Daily, experts gathered to discuss the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on human life. The event, titled "Tech with Heart, AI for Good", aimed to foster dialogue on how AI can empower humans while ensuring responsible innovation.

Decades after pioneering computer scientist Edmund Callis Berkeley envisioned a future filled with thinking machines in his book "Giant Brains, or Machines That Think", AI has become an integral part of our daily lives. The rapid progress of AI is reshaping industries, societal norms, and individual routines.

Experts attending the panel discussion highlighted the dual nature of AI's influence - on one hand, it liberates humans from repetitive tasks, allowing them to redirect their energy toward more creative pursuits; on the other, it raises significant questions about ethics, safety, and its potential impact on human life.

According to Prof Zeng Yi, a renowned expert in AI technology from Chinese Academy of Sciences, the future of AI hinges on striking a balance between technological innovation and social responsibility. "Combining AI with robotics can redirect human energy towards more meaningful pursuits," he explained. The growth of AI-powered robots is enabling hazardous tasks such as firefighting, disaster relief, and space exploration.

Additionally, AI is having a profound impact on environmental conservation through monitoring wildlife populations. Gao Shaolin, an expert at the Peking University Law and Artificial Intelligence Research Center, noted the recent road trip where he drove 3,000 kilometers without encountering any traffic accidents solely due to advancements in AI-driven safety features in modern vehicles.

However, both Zeng and Gao emphasized that AI should be utilized as a tool to enhance human expertise rather than replace it. The development of AI systems is crucial, with accountability remaining squarely with their creators, providers, and users.

As Dr Wu Baojun pointed out, "Rapid AI advancements must be accompanied by efforts to ensure reliability and safety within ethical frameworks." China's government has demonstrated a forward-thinking approach in balancing technology innovation with social concerns through various regulations governing AI research and development.

The latest vision for AI comes from the 78th UN General Assembly resolution, which highlights a human-centered AI strategy emphasizing international cooperation and promoting sustainable development goals.

Key Points Discussed:

  1. The dual nature of AI's influence - on one hand, it liberates humans; on the other, it raises questions about ethics, safety, and its impact.
  2. Balancing technological innovation with social responsibility
  3. AI as a tool to enhance human expertise rather than replace it
  4. Accountability lies squarely with creators, providers, and users
  5. China's forward-thinking approach in balancing technology innovation with social concerns through regulations governing AI research and development.

Experts:

  1. Prof Zeng Yi - Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences
  2. Prof Gao Shaolin - Peking University Law and Artificial Intelligence Research Center
  3. Dr Wu Baojun - Executive Deputy Secretary-General of Association for Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences