University Leaders as AI Trustkeepers
Preface: This story is a continuation of an earlier story. Reading that first can help you understand the context of this short story better.
“Her solution is not exactly the same as John’s.” observes Professor Ma.
“A good part of the solution is based on the new information that she has gained from John’s AI co-pilot BIG JOHNNY.” the University Provost counters.
“Ms Mary Sok Srey could have come up with the solution if she had access to a JABIS II like BIG JOHNNY,” interjects Ms Angelo, “That’s what her supporters are protesting.”
“Who knows? After all, even though her LITTLE SREY is an older JARIS-based AI co-pilot, it did the heavy lifting.” argues Mr Anh.
The discussants are part of a panel of six members convened to decide if the second runner-up of the televised 3rd Annual United World University Grand Assessment Night, Ms Mary Sok Srey, is guilty of cheating. They are:
- The University Provost – the principal investigator,
- Professor Ma – university faculty and one of the three judges of the assessment night,
- Ms Angelo – the communications director of the broadcaster,
- Mr Anh – the university’s chief of student affairs,
- Dr Susilo – the university’s AI ethics officer,
- Dr Rose – the representative from the International Space Project who employs the top three winners of assessment night
“LITTLE SREY has been silent without prompt feeds for the past week. It has also not shown any signs of self preservation in the face of threats to decommission it. During our interrogation, it simply responds as expected and has not attempted to communicate with other AI and systems on its own.” Dr Susilo reminds Anh and the rest of the panel.
He further explains, “In other words, it is just an AI co-pilot as designed. Sok Srey should be considered as the one who came up with the solution. Further, logs extracted during the arrest indicates that she had instructed LITTLE SREY to make contact and exchange information with any of the neighbouring AI co-pilots given the chance.”
“The rules state that under no circumstances, participants should contact other participants and their co-pilots. Sok Srey has also confessed during the interview.” Mr Anh says.
“Technically, she stressed that she and her co-pilot had not contacted any participants after the announcement of the assessment’s problem statement and when they were in the cubicle.” Ms Angelo retorts.
“It is not hard to guess the problem statement given that the announcement of the new nanotube paper was just a week ago and that the participating company is the International Space Project.” Mr Anh says. Professor Ma nods reluctantly.
“Her supporters argue that Ms Mary Sok Srey is a genius given that LITTLE SREY is based on JARIS.” Ms Angelo shares. “Even the King of Cambodia contends that she is simply overcoming the technological hegemony that people from poorer countries have suffered all this while. The exchange with John’s BIG JOHNNY is very brief and Sok Srey’s ability to come up with a solution so quickly should not be dogmatically dismissed.”
“The reason why we have allowed JABIS II is because the difference in performance between JABIS II and JARIS is not significant.” reminds the Provost, “Co-pilot is a mature technology after all. The real difference is the data set of the new paper which JABIS II has priority access. This is the main contention we should focused on.”
“That could be a controversy in itself that would support the King’s plea.” Ms Angelo notes.
“More data doesn’t always mean an advantage. But it is true that the judging criteria we design for the assessment task takes the conclusion of the new nanotube paper into consideration.” Professor Ma shares.
“Look, Mary has been a great member of the space elevator project for the past five years. She has proven her creed.”, interjects Dr Rose. “She is no fraud. For what she has accomplished, she should be joining her fellow winners, John and Aida, on the trip to Mars instead of being interrogated because some disgruntled participants had filed an accusation of cheating five years late.”
“I understand your frustration, Dr Rose. Your director has made it clear that the International Space Project does not wish to lose Miss Sok.” the Provost replies, “However, we must address the accusations according to the ideals of fairness. It is our way to maintaining public trust of institutions such as our university and your organization as well.”
The panel continues to deliberate for hours before taking turns to vote on the verdict and more importantly agree on the next course of action and the public response.
Sok Srey looks out of the window of her room. The padi fields shine in gold with setting sun. Her sight drifts towards the reflection of the field and the sky on the silvery panels lining the corners of each field. They are solar panels with batteries and an AI agent to monitor and provide grow lights at night or on days of poor sunlight to help the crops grow.
“I am glad that my stupid expensive idea is still in use.” she thought to herself. It has been a week since she is asked to work from home. However, she is effectively off the grid. No one from her project team has contacted her since the interview with the investigation panel. Not that she can do much. Her AI co-pilot LITTLE SREY is in the custody of the investigation team after all.
Perhaps, the approach of night is the dawn of starlight. Her phone rings. It is from BIG JOHNNY.
“Dear Mary, good evening from Space. John has asked me to send you a log file.”
She quickly opens the file, scans through the content.
“It looks like most participants had exchanged notes before the announcement.” says BIG JOHNNY as Sok Srey breaks into a smile.
Note: The actual verdict will be part of the accompanying commentary.
