How AI can help us build the future we want

Artificial intelligence (AI), while often perceived through a lens of dystopian science fiction, is primarily used for mundane tasks like ad targeting and social media engagement, with most algorithms being narrowly focused rather than the sentient beings depicted in movies. Hila Mehr, a former fellow at Harvard, emphasizes AI's potential in enhancing public sector efficiency, such as improving access to government services and reducing wait times through automated processes. However, she cautions that if implemented without addressing systemic inefficiencies, AI could perpetuate existing biases, as seen in some cities where algorithms have negatively impacted underserved communities. In the private sector, startups like Cultivate leverage AI to mitigate unconscious biases in workplace communications, aiming to foster diversity and inclusion. These technologies, while aiding decision-making, should never replace human oversight but rather serve to augment human capabilities. Ethical considerations, transparency, and data security are critical in AI deployment, and local-level collaborations between public and private sectors offer promising avenues for innovation. Ultimately, AI reflects human biases, and its development should be guided by principles of diversity and inclusion to ensure it serves the greater social good.