ADAPT, the world-leading SFI Research Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology, brings leading academics, researchers and industry partners together to d...
As AI continues to shape our society, how can we make sure that it doesn't harm minority groups or exacerbate inequalities?
Today we hear from two experts who are a part of a brand new research group that is working to keep AI accountable. The AI Accountability Lab focuses on critical issues across broad topics such as the examination of opaque technological ecologies and the execution of audits on specific models and training datasets. We hear how researchers are trying to join the dots between evidence and policy and how better AI awareness is key to preventing harm.
Our guests today are leading the way in AI accountability. Dr Abeba Birhane is a cognitive scientist and Research Fellow in the ADAPT Research Centre Ireland, and Dr Roel Dobbe is an Assistant Professor in Technology, Policy & Management at Delft University of Technology focusing on Sociotechnical AI Systems.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
● The AI Accountability Lab
● How AI has potential to entrench inequality in society
● Joining the dots between AI research and policies
● Addressing misrepresented concepts in AI training models
● Awareness of AI inaccuracy even with perfect data models
GUEST DETAILS
Dr Abeba Birhane is a cognitive scientist researching human behaviour, social systems, and responsible and ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI). Abeba recently finished her PhD, where she explored the challenges and pitfalls of automating human behaviour through critical examination of existing computational models and audits of large scale datasets. Abeba is currently a Senior Fellow in Trustworthy AI at Mozilla Foundation. She is also an Adjunct Lecturer/Assistant Professor at the School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
https://abebabirhane.com/
Dr Roel Dobbe is an Assistant Professor in Technology, Policy & Management at Delft University of Technology focusing on Sociotechnical AI Systems. He received a MSc in Systems & Control from Delft (2010) and a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from UC Berkeley (2018), where he received the Demetri Angelakos Memorial Achievement Award. He was an inaugural postdoc at the AI Now Institute and New York University. His research addresses the integration and implications of algorithmic technologies in societal infrastructure and democratic institutions, focusing on issues related to safety, sustainability and justice. Roel’s system-theoretic lens enables addressing the sociotechnical and political nature of algorithmic and artificial intelligence systems across analysis, engineering design and governance, with an aim to empower domain experts and affected communities. His results have informed various policy initiatives, including environmental assessments in the European AI Act as well as the development of the algorithm watchdog in The Netherlands.
https://www.tudelft.nl/staff/r.i.j.dobbe/
MORE INFORMATION
Adapt Radio is produced by DustPod.io for the Adapt Centre
For more information about ADAPT visit www.adaptcentre.ie/
KEYWORDS
#AI #accountability #transparency #public #policies #data #auditing #bias
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34:31
AI Assisted Home Healthcare
Many of us will be familiar with voice activated software in devices like smart speakers, but there are so many more possibilities for this technology, including in healthcare.
Today we hear about a voice technology companion that will help care for people with mobility-related illnesses at home, allowing them to live independently for longer. We hear how the AI software will help with medication delivery, activity reporting and event reminders to assist patients and healthcare providers with care.
Our guest today is an entrepreneur who created this start-up after having her own experience caring for those with mobility issues. She is the Founder and Commercial Lead of Amethyst Care, Rebecca McManus.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
> Developing a voice-enabled AI companion to help those with mobility issues
> Complimenting face-to-face care with technology
> Involving caregivers and people with mobility issues in pilot programmes
> Ethical considerations and future possibilities for the technology
> Securing funding and planning pilot programmes
GUEST DETAILS
Rebecca McManus is Founder and Commercial Lead of Amethyst Care.
Amethyst Care is the voice technology companion that helps care for people with mobility-related illnesses at home, allowing them to live independently for longer. By facilitating 2-way communication.
Based in the SFI Adapt research centre at Trinity, Amethyst Care is led by Rebecca McManus and Prof Vinny Wade.
https://www.amethystcare.ie/index.html#
MORE INFORMATION
Adapt Radio is produced by DustPod.io for the Adapt Centre
For more information about ADAPT visit www.adaptcentre.ie/
KEYWORDS
#AI #mobility #voicetechnology #caregiver #recruitment #assistedliving #healthcare #ethicalAI
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22:14
Combating Deep Fakes in Elections
With the surge in deep fakes and disinformation we need to be very careful about believing what we see online, particularly in relation to big world events.
Today we learn how we can take the power away from deep fakes during election time, when underlying agendas and heightened tensions can cause a rise in disinformation. We also hear how we can increase our personal media literacy, but also the ways in which deep fakes can be used positively.
Our expert guest has just completed his PhD at Trinity College Dublin and is an ADAPT Centre researcher focusing on disinformation, Dipto Barman.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
● The rise of deep fake technology in political discourse
● Deciphering between misinformation and disinformation
● Using AI-based detection algorithms to verify authentic media
● Potential positive and negative applications of deep fake technology
● Solutions to identify and watermark to ensure transparency
GUEST DETAILS
Dipto Barman is an ADAPT Centre researcher who has just completed his PhD under the supervision of Owen Conlan, TCD, and Jane Suiter, DCU based in TCD. Dipto holds a Masters from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan in Computer Science and Information Engineering particularly focusing on Fuzzy Logic and Artificial Intelligence. He was also an Assistant Professor at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, India in the Department of Computer Science and engineering. He is currently working in the fields of adaptive recommendation systems and disinformation.
MORE INFORMATION
Adapt Radio is produced by DustPod.io for the Adapt Centre
For more information about ADAPT visit www.adaptcentre.ie/
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24:48
Breaking Barriers with Sign Language Translation
This podcast is also available with international sign language and closed captions on YouTube. https://youtu.be/vrvoiYNRpts
We live in an Uber digital world, and being able to access online information is an important part of life. Unfortunately, this isn’t always accessible for minority communities, such as the deaf and hard of hearing.
Today we learn about the challenges this community faces in the digital world and barriers that exist in sign language translation.
We hear from experts who have been in the SignON Project, which is a European project aimed at overcoming these issues and creating a more accessible online experience.
Our guests today are Dr. Dimitar Shterionov, Assistant Professor in Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence at Tilburg University, who was scientific lead on the project, and Davy Van Landuyt, Project Officer with the European Union of the Deaf and an end user of the project as a deaf person. We are also delighted to be joined by interpreter Romy O’Callaghan.
This podcast has been published in both audio and video format. For video format with sign language please click here.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
● The unique task of developing AI-powered technology for sign language translation
● Challenges faced by the deaf community in accessing online information
● How the SignON project is tackling these issues with new technology
● Importance of co-creation and involving the deaf and hard of hearing community
● Addressing data availability and quality before launching to the public
GUEST DETAILS
Dr. Dimitar Shterionov is Assistant Professor in Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence at Tilburg University, The Netherlands (scientific lead). Between January and July 2020 he worked as an assistant professor in Computing the School of Computing, DCU. Prior to that (2017 - 2019) he worked as a post-doctoral researcher in the ADAPT centre, DCU. He holds a PhD in computer science engineering from KULeuven, Belgium. He was the scientific lead of the EU-funded project on translation of sign and oral languages: SignON with Professor Andy Way of the ADAPT Centre.
Davy Van Landuyt is Project Officer with the European Union of the Deaf. Davy is a deaf Belgian with roots in the social-cultural movement and association work in the deaf community, going through all possible layers from the local level to the European level. Since 2021, he has worked as Project Officer for the European Union of the Deaf. Outside of his commitments in the deaf community, Davy is also active in the area of localization, specifically videogame and software localization in the Dutch language.
MORE INFORMATION
SignON is a European funded Horizon 2020 project that started in January 2021 and ran until December 2023, with the objective of addressing the communication gap between users of spoken languages and Deaf sign language users.
https://signon-project.eu/about-signon/the-signon-project/
Adapt Radio is produced by DustPod.io for the Adapt Centre
For more information about ADAPT visit www.adaptcentre.ie/
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36:35
Geopolitics: AI Disruption and Regulation
The AI Act is leading the way as the first-ever legal framework on AI, but what challenges are facing regulators when it comes to adapting to the rapid evolution of this technology, and in bringing tough conversations about its capabilities to the global stage?
Today we hear from the architect of the groundbreaking AI Act about ‘The Geopolitics of AI’, where he explains how the EU is positioning itself as a global leader in AI governance, and why this matters for everyone - from policymakers to everyday people. He discusses the delicate balance between fostering innovation and protecting society, and why he believes the EU can gain a competitive edge in the global AI race if it plays its cards right.
Our guest is passionate about asking the big questions about our AI-driven future. He is Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Age, Dragoş Tudorache.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
● Why the EU's AI Act is a pioneering model for global AI governance
● The challenges of implementing AI regulations
● AI's profound impact on society, economy, and warfare
● Geopolitical implications of AI development including data and talent acquisition.
● Global cooperation in AI governance with inclusive conversations
GUEST DETAILS
Dragoș Tudorache is a Member of the European Parliament and Vice-President of the Renew Europe Group. He is the Chair of the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Age (AIDA) and the LIBE rapporteur on the AI Act, and he sits on the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE), and the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with the United States (D-US).
MORE INFORMATION
Adapt Radio is produced by DustPod.io for the Adapt Centre
For more information about ADAPT visit www.adaptcentre.ie/
QUOTES
The act itself is not just a piece of legislation. It's not just a bunch of rules and standards on the back of those rules. It is a very powerful Statement of Purpose, Statement of Intent, very political, very geopolitical - Dragoș Tudorache
We have to also think very seriously on how we start bringing society on board in understanding how much AI is going to mean in their lives in the years to come. - Dragoș Tudorache
The Act is a living text, and we've deliberately made it a living text, so that it keeps adapting to the technology and the reality of the world. - Dragoș Tudorache
AI is the most disruptive technological change in the history of mankind. The future will be shaped by those who shape AI, and who have the competitive edge on AI. - Dragoș Tudorache
AI is reshaping war as we've known it. - Dragoș Tudorache
We're not very good at retaining talent here in Europe. Not because we don't produce it, actually we're quite good at producing the talent, but we are neither good at keeping it here. - Dragoș Tudorache
KEYWORDS
#ai #data #technology #supercomputers #democracies #geopolitical #regulation #eu
ADAPT, the world-leading SFI Research Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology, brings leading academics, researchers and industry partners together to deliver excellent science, engage the public, develop novel solutions for business across all sectors and enhance Ireland’s international reputation.
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