Una & Helena Attend the McWhirter Conference ‘Will Artificial Intelligence Make Us Happier?’

In this year's conference we discussed ‘Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) Make Us Happier?’ with some remarkable speakers who helped inform our final answer. My favourite talk was given by Robert Robson who illustrated the future for AI regarding the different capabilities we will give robots according to their role. He warned us of examples where AI could go wrong which included my favourite analogy given in the conference:

Imagine an AI created and designed to make paper clips but, as the job seemed simple, the programmers gave little thought as to its perception of human life. This robot will keep making paperclips regardless of damage it may cause as making paperclips is its only goal.

The more paperclips made, the more the resources to make them diminish. The robot will scavenge the earth until there is no metal left. The robot may then realise that metals like iron can be found in the human body. Because all it knows and all it has been told to do is make paperclips, why would the robot not harvest the materials from people. In the end, there will be a mountain of paperclips but with no humans left to use them.

This example stresses the importance of the goals and priorities we set for the AI. Mr Robson said for this reason, he believes AI should not just be cast aside as merely a thinking machine but should be endowed with emotions and a consciousness so that the AI can make their own rational decisions if these kinds of situations arise.

Many of these thought-provoking issues arose from the talks which we were able to discuss in our small syndicate groups. Ample time was given for these discussions which allowed for some interesting debates and guidance from our amazing syndicate leader Neil. 

The conference ended with a panel discussion, which I was lucky to be a part of, where panellists discussed remaining questions from each group. There was a focus here on how we could make AI good and fair when us humans creating them are inherently flawed ourselves. 

At the end of the conference there was a vote and the majority believed that AI would not make us happier! Overall, an incredible event and I was left genuinely inspired.

Una, Lower Sixth