Research and innovation play significant roles for progress. With progress, debate follows. Major innovations throughout history, while often beneficial, also cause concern and disruption, whether military innovations like the atom bomb, economic innovations such as the free market, or work innovations like the assembly line. Usually, debates surrounding concerns are confined to academics or industrialists. However, the recent eruption of the progress of artificial intelligence has caused almost universal consternation. Universities, corporations, military institutions, banks, and even K-12 schools express concern and debate the challenges of AI. We’ve heard stories about AI systems lying to get humans to do their work, or suggesting one researcher leave his wife for the system, and recently Elon Musk and other scientists have called for a halt to the “AI race”. This almost universal reaction has led us to ask deep, existential questions about the role of research, innovation, and technology, about its effects on knowledge and education, and about an inconceivably changed future.
To further discussion, this presentation will showcase two perspectives on current research and innovation and the important questions they raise. First, I will provide insight regarding the AI discussion in my field, design and technology, and how we might reframe our perspective. Then, Kālewa Correa will discuss how reimagined historical research can counter deep-seated inaccuracies to staid narratives and refine cultural understanding. Finally, we will engage in a discussion with you as you bring your perspective from diverse fields.
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