An interview our Vice President, Angela Kane, gave for DeepDive
Firstly, as someone with such profound experience in politics and peace, we’d love to know: do you think it's possible for AI technology to have a mostly beneficial impact on humanity?
“Having worked on a multinational level for many years, I am aware of the global governance deficit concerning AI. Most of the benefits of AI are concentrated in a small number of countries and in a small number of private industries that wield tremendous influence.
“How can we ensure that AI technology benefits are broadened to give more access to technology as well as increase efficiency to more constituents? How can the disruption that is being caused by AI knock-on effects be managed? These issues need to be addressed.”
What are the key obstacles you see standing in the way of AI being able to support positive relationships between countries and communities around the world?
“The key obstacle is lack of trust within societies.
“How do we know if reported news is factual or misinformation? Can we be sure whether video clips or pictures on social media are real or synthetic media? How can we be certain that election outcomes are not manipulated by actors outside the country?
“As AI assists in everyday tasks and decision-making, how can we be sure that those decisions – on our health, our social benefits – are not biased by obscure algorithms?
Dr.h.c. Angela Kane assumed the position of Vice President of the IIP in 2016, after serving on the IIP International Advisory Board. She holds a number of other functions: Visiting Professor and Member of the Strategic Committee at the Paris School of International Affairs (SciencesPo), Visiting Professor at the Tsinghua University Schwarzman Scholars in Beijing, and Chair of the United Nations University Council. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. Kane has served in many positions during her career at the United Nations. Until mid-2015, she served as the United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. Between May 2008 and 2012, she was Under-Secretary-General for Management. She served twice in the Department for Political Affairs, as Assistant Secretary-General and previously as Director. She supported several special political missions in Iraq, Nepal and the Middle East, and established the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala. Her field experience includes Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), a special assignment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and multi-year postings in Indonesia and Thailand.
“Between countries, the biggest concern is the imbalance of benefits. AI increases productivity and innovation across the globe, ensuring economic growth and efficiency. Yet many countries are left behind. Should there not be enablers which could help to ensure that benefits become more widely available and cover more of humanity than is now the case?”
Do you think that more needs to be done to encourage more diverse thinkers to engage in conversations about AI, and leadership in AI? And if so, what can those in the AI space do to welcome more viewpoints into the discourse?
“Right now the discussion about AI and its benefits – or drawbacks – takes place in highly-educated elite circles. Most people are afraid to enter into discussions for fear of showing lack of knowledge or awareness.
“What needs to happen is more information, more education to increase familiarity with the basic concepts, more willingness to delve more deeply into the AI world and its promises as well as its disruptive impact. Those in the AI space should engage with government officials on an equal level; not see governments as spoilers or regulators but as partners who are willing to promote larger and more inclusive AI objectives, as well as upholding standards and accountability.”
What are your biggest concerns about AI? Or to put it another way, what keeps you up at night?
“What keeps me awake is the super-rapid development of AI technology. Even ten years ago, AGI seemed a far distant, somewhat utopian goal. These days, we are talking about it more and more. How close are we? Can humans keep up with it? How is it shaping the future? And what actions should we be considering in response?
“These are challenges that are becoming more and more urgent.”
Finally, why are events like DeepFest valuable to you and your work?
“Keeping up with information on AI is a never-ending quest. Important to know what is new in the field, what could be coming up, what research is being conducted and where, what opportunities have arisen and what risks they could entail. Events like DeepFest are opportunities to gain knowledge, to meet leaders in the field, to engage in discussions about AI, its future and its impact on various industries and on global governance.”