Dr Mark Connor Of UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business On the Future of Artificial Intelligence
An Interview With David Leichner
Furthermore, the proliferation of social media personalities with limited knowledge or expertise in AI is a troubling development. While AI’s popularity grows, misinformation and misguided opinions may gain prominence due to the influence of these individuals.
Artificial Intelligence is now the leading edge of technology, driving unprecedented advancements across sectors. The AI industry is witnessing a skyrocketing demand for professionals from healthcare to finance and education to the environment.
In this interview series, we are talking to successful AI professionals, AI founders, AI CEOs, educators in the field, AI researchers, HR managers in tech companies, and anyone who holds authority in the realm of Artificial Intelligence about the future of AI.
As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dr Mark Connor, an Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems at the UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business (UCD Quinn School). Mark’s research interests centre on the applications of analytics in sports and business, the use of machine learning and AI to understand complex biological systems, and the development of intelligent learning and control systems to enhance human health, well-being, and performance.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you share with us the ‘backstory” of how you decided to pursue your career path in AI?
I am Dr Mark Connor, an assistant professor at the UCD Quinn School and an active member of the Natural Computing Research and Applications Group. My decision to pursue a Ph.D. and a career in AI was influenced by my introduction to the field and the realisation of the significant scientific advancements that could be achieved through the development and utilisation of AI.
Can you tell our readers about any interesting projects you are working on now?
Currently, I’m engaged in a diverse set of interesting projects. These projects span the domain of explainable AI for medical device software, leveraging AI to augment human activity recognition, and crafting novel algorithms with the capacity to learn within federated environments, all the while preserving data privacy.
What are the 5 things that most excite you about the AI industry? Why?
First and foremost, the evolution of novel algorithms capable of autonomous learning from diverse data sources and types, including video, in both self-supervised and semi-supervised modes, represents a pivotal advancement. This expansion in AI’s capabilities not only broadens its potential applications but may also enhance its adaptability and versatility in new unseen or noisy environments.
Secondly, the renewed focus on trustworthy and responsible AI is highly commendable. Ethical considerations and responsible data management are increasingly becoming central tenets of AI development, contributing to a more conscientious AI ecosystem.
Moreover, the potential for ground-breaking scientific discoveries in fields like medicine and biology, as recently exemplified by DeepMind’s AlphaFold, is highly encouraging. These AI-driven advancements may revolutionise our understanding and approach to complex, real-world challenges and problems.
Additionally, the application of meta-learning approaches to unearth new algorithms, particularly within the evolutionary computing domain, is a compelling area of research. Meta-learning offers up the potential to re-define the design and optimization of AI algorithms, potentially leading to more efficient and effective solutions.
Finally, the rapid advancements in Graph Learning and Graph Neural Networks are intriguing. These innovations open up new frontiers in understanding and modelling complex relationships and networks. These developments bear the potential to reshape the way we approach and address complex challenges across various sectors and domains.
What are the 5 things that concern you about the AI industry? Why?
Within the AI industry, there exist several noteworthy concerns that warrant attention. One area of concern revolves around the increasing capabilities and accessibility of generative models. These models, while incredibly powerful, can be employed for malicious purposes, such as spreading false information. The potential consequences for public discourse and trust are substantial.
Another prominent concern relates to the insufficient educational efforts surrounding AI and its capabilities, particularly for individuals outside the realm of domain experts. A well-informed society is paramount for the responsible adoption of AI technologies.
Furthermore, the proliferation of social media personalities with limited knowledge or expertise in AI is a troubling development. While AI’s popularity grows, misinformation and misguided opinions may gain prominence due to the influence of these individuals.
The emergence of extremist views within prominent AI communities is also a cause for apprehension. Such extreme perspectives can disrupt constructive dialogue and collaboration, potentially impeding progress in the field.
Lastly, the industry’s lack of diversity, particularly within a select group of major tech companies that wield significant influence over AI development and deployment, remains a pressing concern. Achieving greater diversity and inclusivity is imperative to ensure equitable and ethical advancements in AI.
What can be done to prevent such concerns from materialising? And what can be done to assure the public that there is nothing to be concerned about?
Preventing these concerns from fully materialising and tarnishing the field’s perception is a complex challenge. To initiate positive change, it is crucial to promote greater openness and diversity in a coordinated manner. Additionally, efforts such as the regulatory initiatives on-going in the European Union, are valuable in this regard. Moreover, I advocate that the introduction of regulations and guidelines should be complemented by a comprehensive educational program to ensure the general public is well-informed and aware of their rights in the context of AI usage.
As you know, there is an ongoing debate between prominent scientists (personified as a debate between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg) about whether advanced AI poses an existential danger to humanity. What is your position on this?
The ongoing debate regarding the existential threat posed by AI has taken on a somewhat nonsensical tone. While it may capture attention in the media, it fails to advance the field in any meaningful way. Moreover, these debates divert attention from the very real harms that AI can currently cause when in the hands of malicious actors, such as the spread of misinformation, exploitation of vulnerable individuals, and security breaches, among others. Proponents of the “existential danger” viewpoint often rely on a heavily convoluted set of scenarios involving a series of highly improbable events materialising. As of now, the available evidence suggests that AI is far from constituting the existential threat portrayed by influential figures in the tech industry and media.
There are not that many women in the AI and Tech industry. Can you advise what is needed to engage more women in the AI industry?
Fostering greater female representation within the AI industry requires a multifaceted approach. To begin, a focus on promoting STEM education and cultivating AI awareness among girls from an early age is essential. Mentorship programs such as “Women in Ai” should be championed and more support networks should be established to offer guidance and inspiration to aspiring women in AI. Furthermore, workplaces must actively work toward creating an inclusive environment free from gender bias, reinforced by the implementation of policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Financial support in the form of scholarships and grants may help mitigate initial barriers and access. Collaborative efforts between government, academia, and industry are also instrumental in promoting gender diversity in the field. Finally, fostering interest in AI through educational initiatives can have a lasting impact, encouraging more women to pursue careers in the field and contribute to its growth and innovation.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Twitter/X is the best way to keep up with my work online: @drmarkconnor
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
About The Interviewer: David Leichner is a veteran of the Israeli high-tech industry with significant experience in the areas of cyber and security, enterprise software and communications. At Cybellum, a leading provider of Product Security Lifecycle Management, David is responsible for creating and executing the marketing strategy and managing the global marketing team that forms the foundation for Cybellum’s product and market penetration. Prior to Cybellum, David was CMO at SQream and VP Sales and Marketing at endpoint protection vendor, Cynet. David is the Chairman of the Friends of Israel and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Jerusalem Technology College. He holds a BA in Information Systems Management and an MBA in International Business from the City University of New York.
