The White House is determined to take advantage of artificial intelligence or AI in its services. In fact, it will be hosting public AI workshops. According to reports, the University of Washington is hosting the first AI workshop.
AI Workshops In Progress
According to UW Today, the four public AI workshops will be held in Washington, D.C.; Pittsburgh, PA; and in New York City. The first workshop session will focus on legal policy issues around AI.
Several speakers were invited to the event including Oren Etzioni, chief executive officer of the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence and a UW professor of computer science and engineering. Etzioni is tasked to provide an overview of the current state of AI, followed by two panel discussions. It will also cover issues in making decisions in the private or public sector using AI.
AI Workshops To Examine Its Pros And Cons
Per the report, the AI workshops aim to examine the advantages and drawbacks of AI, especially that the administration is all-in using AI for its services. For instance, Barack Obama's Precision Medicine Initiative and Cancer Moonshot will both rely on AI to identify patterns in medical data and assist doctors in diagnosing disease and determining treatment plans.
Aside from this, Parent Herald previously reported that Obama would employ AI for public good. The White House is hopeful about AI-driven programs in delivery services related to the urban system, smart cities, social welfare, criminal justice, environment and more.
Despite the potential of AI, the White House also recognizes that it comes with risks. "Artificial intelligence carries some risk and presents complex policy challenges along several dimensions, from jobs and the economy to safety and regulatory questions," the White House wrote. For instance, AI can lead to job displacement and may affect the economy, safety and current regulatory.
If you are interested, here is a list of schedules for the next AI workshop:
- May 24, 2016: Legal and Governance Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Seattle, WA
- June 7, 2016: Artificial Intelligence for Social Good in Washington, DC
- June 28, 2016: Safety and Control for Artificial Intelligence in Pittsburgh, PA
- July 7: The Social and Economic Implications of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in the Near-Term in New York City
Are you excited to see the government employing AI in its services? Do you agree that AI is helpful? Does AI scare you? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
