AI 2041 Ch. 1: Reflecting on the Future of AI

Recognizing that delving into a book about AI is long overdue, I recently started reading AI 2041 by Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan. I fell in love with computer science during my high school artificial intelligence class. It was the first time I discovered my potential to create a positive impact on the world around me through my computer science knowledge. I was very excited to read AI 2041 because of how the authors present their thoughts on AI’s future impact through imaginative short stories.

In the Introduction, Chen Qiufan writes, “The greatest value of science fiction is not providing answers, but rather raising questions.”

So in my blog posts discussing AI 2041, I plan to raise questions for the reader to reflect on and share a few of my thoughts/experiences. The book consists of 10 short stories that explore AI’s future impact.

The first story, “The Golden Elephant” takes place in Mumbai, India, and revolves around Nayana and her family who join an insurance program, Ganesh Insurance. Ganesh Insurance requires users to download a family of apps and uses AI to adjust the insurance plan based on the data collected.

Based on the first chapter here are some questions I have:

How has technology helped you foster deeper connections with others in unexpected and unplanned ways?

In “The Golden Elephant,” students participate in virtual classes. One day, during class, the teacher asks a student, Sahej, to give a show-and-tell about the vibrant masks hanging on the wall behind him. Students were given a glimpse into Sahej’s mask-making passion, something he might not have had the opportunity to share with the whole class in an in-person classroom setting. This reminded me of the time when one of my teachers showed us his Lego collection that was displayed on a bookshelf behind him during a Zoom class. Originally, I was hesitant to approach my professor with questions, but the Lego conversation provided a greater glimpse into my professor’s personality. As a result, I felt more connected and comfortable approaching him with questions. This was an unexpected consequence of the virtual classroom. How have similar unexpected connections through technology influenced your interactions with others?

How can we ensure that artificial intelligence not only detects and mitigates bias but also actively promotes fairness and equity in decision-making processes?

In the book, the group of apps within the Ganesh Insurance family displays a form of discrimination. Nayana and Sahej discuss this further by exclaiming, “Just because it’s no longer permitted by law and doesn’t appear in the news doesn’t mean it’s gone.” How can we address and learn from similar examples in present society? As AI “identifies the invisible discrimination in our society and quantifies it,” can AI play a role in addressing societal issues and driving progress?

How can we strike the right balance between optimizing AI objective functions to meet business objectives and ensuring that AI systems prioritize ethical considerations and the well-being of society?

Ganesh Insurance promises to minimize insurance premiums by using data collected and artificial intelligence to promote what it deems to be “healthy” in the long run. While Ganesh Insurance aids Nayana’s family in adopting numerous healthy habits, it also seeks to discourage her developing relationship with Sahej, disregarding what would truly contribute to Nayana and Sahej’s happiness. How do you think ethical considerations should be integrated into AI systems to prevent such unintended consequences?

How will technological advancements reshape traditional roles and impact society?

In the story’s fictional world, “Women controlled data sharing in more than 60 percent of Indian households.” This implies that women are knowledgeable about data sharing and have the authority to make decisions for the family. In what ways do you see technological growth impacting traditional roles? How do you see the evolution of traditional roles impacting society?

At what age should individuals gain control over their data?

In the book, parents/legal guardians have control over their children’s data while they are a minor. Parents are allowed to make decisions regarding the sharing of their child’s data even if the child disapproves. In the future presented in the book, at what age do you believe someone should gain control of their data? Around the world, there are different age restrictions for the legal drinking age, obtaining a driver’s license, etc. How do you envision data-sharing policies differing globally? What are your thoughts on existing data-sharing policies, how do you see them evolving in the future?

How will education evolve in the future to account for AI and its impact on society? How do you see technology education being incorporated into early education?

Nayana takes a data literacy class at her high school providing a glimpse into a future education system that places greater emphasis on teaching technology concepts. What topics related to technology do you consider essential to include in the education system?

Overall, I really enjoyed the first chapter, and cannot wait to read the other short stories! I would love to hear your thoughts on the questions I have posed!