2024 - The Year for Humanity to Shape AI

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh

As the AI revolution moves further in 2024, it is becoming exciting and daunting as it reshapes human experience and promises to deliver much more in the future. With this technology improving by the day, it is an exhilarating time to be alive where massive strides are being made in human development, the likes of which we have never previously witnessed. As this revolution progresses, it invokes similar questions that came up when previous technological shifts were underway, such as the birth of the internet.

It is important to learn from past mistakes without restricting the momentum of this industry and to develop a world in which AI benefits all of mankind, including the over 2.5 billion people that remain offline. We have a moral duty to use this technology to develop a more equitable, global society where everyone benefits, not just the big tech giants.

Aa a result of my lengthy readings, I feel that a number of issues must be addressed in order for a healthy new AI world to take shape; first is regulation, which has to remain a top global priority that is rooted in equity and democratic values. There have been many initiatives in this regard from the EU’s AI Act, China’s new laws to regulate this industry, as well as Joe Biden’s executive order in 2023 on safe, secure and trustworthy AI. The UN will play a pivotal role in helping to move this conversation forward as the UN High Level Advisory Body on AI is set to discuss many of these initiatives later this year.

The second issue is the ethical and social implications of AI, which go beyond the technical and legal aspects. AI has the potential to transform various domains such as health, education, agriculture, and security, but it also poses significant risks and challenges such as bias, discrimination, privacy, accountability, and human dignity. We must ensure that AI is aligned with human values and respects human rights, and that we foster a culture of responsibility and trust among AI developers, users, and stakeholders. We must also empower and educate people to use and benefit from AI, while also protecting them from its harms. These questions need to be addressed by multidisciplinary experts and policymakers, including civil society, communities, and individuals.

The third issue is the innovation and collaboration opportunities of AI, which can enable new forms of creativity, problem-solving, and social impact. AI is not only a tool, but also a partner and a catalyst for human endeavors. AI can augment human capabilities, enhance human experiences, and inspire human aspirations. It can also facilitate cross-cultural and cross-sectoral cooperation, breaking down barriers and bridging gaps.

We need to leverage AI to address the global challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, such as climate change, poverty, health, education, and peace, and build a global AI ecosystem that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable, where a human-AI symbiosis is developed that is harmonious, respectful, and beneficial.

I have authored a book that explores and discusses the opportunities, risks, and challenges that AI poses in various domains, and provides advice on how to foster a healthy, vibrant, and ethical AI sector that can help civilization progress to its next level of advancement.

I encourage all those that want to delve into this revolution to read the book, which can be downloaded free from the following link: https://www.talalabughazaleh.com/PublicationDetails/en/propro