Embracing Ethical AI Governance for a Better Future

It's time to talk about the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and the implications it has on our society. Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute and UNESCO recently unveiled a collaborative book on the urgent need for better AI governance as we face unprecedented technological advancements. This book, titled Missing Links in AI Governance, is an important step towards fostering a future powered by ethical, inclusive, and human rights-respecting AI. The book contains 18 articles written by academics, civil society representatives, innovators, and policy makers, addressing a wide range of themes such as the influence of AI on indigenous and LGBTI communities, the inclusion of Southern countries in global governance, and the use of AI for socially beneficial purposes. It also warns against the use of AI in potentially harmful contexts, such as autonomous weapons or digital content manipulation for social destabilization. The authors call for transparency and accountability in the AI industry, expressing concern over the centralization of decision-making power and biases embedded in AI systems. In a conversation hosted by Mila to celebrate the book's launch, AI experts Yoshua Bengio and Kate Crawford discussed the potential of AI to accelerate scientific discovery, particularly in healthcare and environmental sciences. They also touched upon the opportunities of recent technological advancements, the biases of current AI systems, and the need for ethical and regulatory oversight to ensure AI serves humanity as a whole. It is vital for us to understand the impact AI will have on our lives and the world at large, while also recognizing the importance of regulatory frameworks to guide its development. This book serves as a reminder that AI has the potential to transform our world for the better, but only if we address the challenges it poses and create a responsible, ethical environment for its growth.