The power of artificial intelligence has been around for decades, but its advances have been so rapid and widespread in recent years that many ethicists, industry experts and governments are looking for ways to ensure its new potential does not create new problems.

That was the driving reason behind Guilford College’s inaugural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum on Oct. 12, entitled “AI in Innovation: Questions of Ethics.” About 70 AI experts and leaders gathered at the Hege Academic Commons to share their hopes and concerns on the advancing technology.

Panelists and attendees agreed that some of the many potential problems needing attention are: AI replacing human labor; determining who is responsible for AI-generated mistakes and misinformation; the protection of privacy and limits of surveillance; the need for safety, transparency and fairness; and biases used in algorithms.

“There are no perfect what’s-right and what’s-wrong answers out there or else we wouldn’t all be here this morning,” said Keith Brigg, Enterprise Architecture & Innovation Director at the N.C. Department of Information Technology and a forum panelist.

Any major technological advancement such as AI has the potential to be used for  benefit or harm, he said. AI-powered computer vision software can detect planets and stars in outer space and tumors or disease in the human body. The same technology  can be used for facial recognition with nefarious purposes.

"We need all the help, the voices we can get to ensure AI is promoted and employed in a positive way for everyone and that no one’s left behind," he said.

Other speakers and panelists at the forum included Stefan Youngblood, a social impact engineer, Rama Chakaki, an impact tech investor, Brian Platz, co-founder of an open-source platform for data ecosystems, and Peter Purcell and Rodney Roberts, chief information officers for Guilford County and the City of Greensboro, respectively.

Lou Anne Flanders-Stec, Guilford’s Senior Executive Director for Innovation & Engagement says the College plans to offer more Innovation and Entrepreneurship forums in the future. She says the inaugural forum gave many attendees a better understanding of AI and its impact.  

Lou Anne says the key takeaway for her was that the creators of AI are human and are still in charge. “We need to figure out how to leverage AI to better utilize our time, enhance our brain power and creativity,” she says. “Make it work for us. That’s why Guilford put on this forum and will put on others.”