Human First Innovation for AI ethics? : a Cross-cultural Perspective on Youth and AI
Abstract: New and emerging technologies such as AI and robots introduce a range of risks and opportunities, locally and globally. Narratives surrounding the development of AI often seem to fall into a dichotomy between utopia and dystopia. The extent to which narratives are utopian or dystopian seems to vary by culture, with Japanese views in particular leaning more towards utopia, focusing on the potential societal benefits of AI, especially to cater to a rapidly aging population. By contrast, European and other Western narratives, exemplified by the image of “The Terminator” are typically dominated by fears; for example, that AI/robots will drive mass unemployment and inequality. In order to maximize new opportunities and minimize risks and create a better AI society, we need to understand AI use globally. Generation Z (GenZ: born between 1996-2010) will be the main beneficiaries and users, nevertheless, there are few studies which focus on youth and AI. This study introduces two of my on-going cross-cultural projects on youth and AI: “a future with AI” project in collaboration with the United Nations and “Project GenZAI” in the Moonshot R&D program. The latter project conducts large surveys and in-depth interview studies in six countries (Japan, China, Singapore, US, UK and Chile). Theoretically, this study extends the complexity model of communication (Takahashi, 2016) by exploring key dimensions of AI engagement. The aim of this study is to show universalism and cultural specificities in terms of both opportunities and risks of AI/robots, to global understanding of an AI future where human happiness takes centre stage. Finally this study offers suggestions towards an AI future driven by “Human First Innovation”. AI has to be used towards achieving our sustainable future globally. But to do so, we must move from “AI first” and “nation first” to “human first” innovation.
Author bio: Toshie Takahashi is Professor in the School of Culture, Media and Society, as well as the Institute for AI and Robotics, Waseda University, Tokyo. She has been appointed as an Associate Fellow of the CFI, the University of Cambridge. She has held visiting appointments at the University of Oxford, Harvard University and Columbia University. She conducts cross-cultural and trans-disciplinary research on the social impact of robots as well as the potential of AI for Good. She is currently leading two projects on youth and AI. The goal of both projects is to contribute towards a vision of a future where human happiness takes centre stage. The first one is “A Future with AI” project in collaboration with the United Nation. She is also involved in “Moonshot R&D projects” by leading the “Project Gen ZAI”, engaging youths now for a global AI future in collaboration with the CFI, University of Cambridge, Stanford University, University of Chile, Pompeu Fabra University, Nanjing University, the National University of Singapore and others. Finally, Takahashi sits on the advisory committee of the Information and Communication Council, Ministry of the Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan.
Recorded Presentation | 28 April 2023
#InterculturalApproaches #IntergenerationalPerspectives #YouthAndChildren #Japan #China #Singapore #US #UK #Chile
