The age of AI has begun : A call for optimistic, yet reasoned adoption

By Frédéric Genta, Monaco Secretary of Attractiveness & Digital, Former Google & Amazon Executive

Following Davos AI keynote, January 16, 2024.

Summary

AI was the key topic at Davos in January 2024, with 2023 being heralded as the start of a new era, the AI era, a "seismic moment" according to Meta. The proof is in the pudding: the words and positions taken are no longer limited to the big tech leaders, but concern most of the world's top executives. While there seems to be a consensus on the transformative power of AI (e.g, Maurice Levy, Publicis President considers it far superior to that of mobile), many voices are warning of the risks of losing control. JP Morgan is concerned about the impact that AI could have on the conduct of major elections scheduled for this year. Marc Benioff (CEO of Salesforce) goes so far as to speak of the risk of an AI Hiroshima.

The rise of AI is inevitable, and the risks are commensurate with the incredible benefits expected. It is critical to embrace the AI era with optimism and realism. Given the unprecedented risk of humans losing control, we cannot wait for the Darwinian framework to foster the landscape  and not let the revolution unfold without regulation as it often happens . Let's take a responsible approach to ensure safety, trust, fairness, and serene use.

We are entering the age of AI: no longer limited to fiction, it’s happening now ... and there's no going back !  

Once the subject of anticipation for writers and filmmakers, or the object of spectacular computer versus human feats, AI has moved beyond fiction or isolated demonstrations into the realm of reality. Today, we are in the midst of an AI revolution. Elements of this once-imagined future are becoming part of our everyday lives.

The tipping point is undoubtedly the rise of Generative AI (GenAI).

GenAI has democratized access to the technology. In just two months, ChatGPT has reached 100 million users, outpacing the growth of any other digital innovation (e.g., 30 months for Instagram). This rapid adoption parallels the transformative impact of the advent of mobile devices, making the technology accessible to a broad audience. With the ability to interact in natural language, generative AI now empowers every user, democratizing access to the full potential of ... a subset of AI. Because GenAI is just the tip of the AI iceberg (including robots, intelligent objects, machine learning, deep learning, and more).

The digital revolution with these infrastructure developments has paved the way for AI adoption.

The creation of the necessary infrastructure, such as fiber optics, 5G networks, and cloud technology, has been instrumental in fostering the development of AI tools for both the private and public sectors. The combined technology waves of the digital revolution, including the web, mobile devices, data, and social media, are making AI a powerful reality on a global scale.

And this AI boom is here to stay, fueled by massive investments in AI startups and research.

They've skyrocketed from $6.3 billion in 2015 to an impressive $68.8 billion by 2021. American companies have invested a staggering $276 billion in AI research this year. In 2023, AI companies has secured a remarkable 24% share of all corporate venture capital investment.

How AI promises progress.

The transformative impact of AI is unprecedented, societal, and extends across all sectors and public policies.

AI "augments" humans.

AI helps humans make the right decisions and perform calculations and reasoning that were previously impossible in the time available. In areas such as drug development, in-depth analysis of research data can lead to breakthrough discoveries. One notable example is Moderna's ability to identify, isolate and sequence the entire Covid-19 virus in just 41 days.

AI offers limitless predictive capabilities.

Machine learning can be used to predict the future and the likelihood of an outcome, as well as to forecast future needs or perform what-if analysis. The range of demonstrations is broad:

• Researchers at MIT have developed a system that uses artificial intelligence to predict the future risk of developing breast cancer.

• Google DeepMind's model convincingly outperformed traditional forecasting methods for the first time in predicting weather around the world up to 10 days in advance.

AI automates tasks at scale.

AI has the power to save valuable time, improve efficiency and working conditions. Accenture estimates that up to 40% of all work hours will be supported by voice-based AI, meaning that Gen AI could give us back 40% of our time. For example, tools developed for the government of Monaco automate file completeness checks, freeing humans from repetitive tasks.

It's up to policymakers and business leaders to create new models to ensure that AI is used to drive progress.

AI is revolutionizing our framework and environment more profoundly than ever before, challenging fundamental assumptions (in fields as diverse as education, health, media & information, work organization, insurance model, security, etc.) because of its unprecedented transformative power. The emergence of AI can be fantastic or dramatic. We are all familiar with Darwin's theory of evolution. We have seen it in action many times in previous industrial revolutions. Newcomers challenge leadership, companies adapt, and some disappear. This time is different. For the first time, human intelligence is being profoundly challenged by a technology that could be autonomous and thus beyond our control.

AI must be harnessed responsibly by leaders to ensure that it serves the best interests of humanity:

1. We should anticipate and regulate. We must prioritize coordination, regulation, and deep understanding of our actions to proactively ensure a positive relationship between machines and humans. Without proper regulation, risks will arise. Regulation should also be used as a lever to develop a homogeneous use of AI that is not divided along geopolitical lines.

2. We should protect ourselves. The increasing intelligence of AI-driven cyberattacks requires enhanced cybersecurity measures.  In a world of crucial elections, truth becomes a luxury that must be protected more than ever. As a result, the ability to make informed and ethical decisions becomes critical.

3. We should reinvent models and reorganize ourselves in the age of automation. Breaking down silos and redefining the roles of humans and machines. Mastering machines, not just using them, is the key. Introducing machines doesn't mean direct replacement; it requires reorganization and model adaptation. In areas such as education or auditing, it's not about replacing people, but reorganizing for effective human-machine collaboration. In some cases, it will even mean reinventing business models. For example, the current insurance liability model will need to be rethought, with machines taking the place of humans.

4. We should care about the transformation of the workforce. The IMF predicts that 66% of jobs will be affected. This shift requires significant attention to training and promoting the coexistence of humans and machines. Addressing human concerns, fostering buy-in, adapting performance evaluation models, and facilitating a seamless transition to work are essential issues that should guide our collective approach to this unprecedented time of change.

5. We should widely educate citizens to encourage them to embrace this new era. The AI transition is a global and societal challenge that requires us to rethink our relationship with machines, information, knowledge and intelligence, but also to develop rules of ethics, fairness and trust. We need to foster the development of a common culture that enables people to reap the full benefits of AI (human added value in a human-AI system, learning by doing, responsibility).

The recent discussions in Davos are reassuring: the world's elites are aware of the full potential and threats of AI. As policymakers and business leaders, we must shape a future in which human intelligence coexists with AI. AI is not just a technological leap, it's a massive societal shift that requires proactive global and collective responsibility and change management for … the sustainability of humanity!