AI for Good, not Evil

Singithi Herath, 2024 AI for Good Fellow

When you think of AI, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For me, I used to imagine robots taking over the world or a future so overwhelmed by technology that humans no longer needed to think. The discourse I encountered was often dominated by these dystopian fears. Experts warned of the unchecked power of AI, emphasising its biases, potential misuse, and humanity’s increasing dependence on technology. In their eyes, AI was something to be feared, not embraced. I shared these concerns, and I’m still cautious about how rapidly this technology is evolving. However, after attending the AI for Good Summit earlier this year, my perspective shifted dramatically.

Though we are heading into an unknown future when it comes to AI, the good it can bring to communities across the globe cannot be overlooked. The AI for Good Summit exists to highlight how the power of AI can be harnessed to help achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals include gender equality, eradicating hunger, and poverty, and acting on climate change. The summit’s mission is to explore and implement practical solutions to global challenges, leveraging AI as a tool to address gaps on a large scale. Compared to the fear-driven narrative I had previously been consuming, the summit’s emphasis on AI’s potential for good was a breath of fresh air. Throughout the summit, I was exposed to countless innovative solutions aimed at making real change in the world. By the time I left Geneva, I felt hopeful that AI could indeed push humanity in the right direction.

One powerful example of AI being used for good was presented by Vasco Pedro and Luis, who showcased how AI is transforming the lives of people with disabilities, specifically those living with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). ALS patients often struggle with communication due to the progressive loss of muscle control. However, AI is changing that by giving them more options to interact with the world around them. For instance, large language models (LLMs) are being used to predict what an ALS patient might say in a given conversation. This offers them multiple reply options, allowing them to keep up with the flow of a discussion—something that would ordinarily be slowed down by their current ability to select just one word at a time. In addition, Open AI technology is being used to recreate patients’ voices by analysing old voice recordings. This gives them the ability to communicate using their voice again, restoring a significant amount of autonomy and personalisation in their interactions. This level of freedom in communication is a transformative step for ALS patients, showcasing AI’s ability to restore dignity and independence.

Another impactful use of AI highlighted at the summit was during the "Saving Children with AI" panel, which demonstrated how AI is being used to combat child exploitation. One of the major challenges faced by investigators in this field is the immense volume of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) they must analyse, which places a heavy mental and emotional burden on them. AI is now being employed to alleviate this burden by scanning and flagging harmful images, significantly reducing the amount of graphic content investigators need to manually process. This allows law enforcement to sift through unprecedented amounts of data in a shorter time frame, making investigations more efficient and effective. Additionally, AI is being used to group similar images together, helping law enforcement identify patterns and gather evidence more quickly. Large language models are also being utilised to describe the content of flagged material so that workers don’t have to view the distressing material themselves. As a result, the mental health of workers involved in these investigations has improved significantly, with reports of an 85% increase in well-being among Interpol employees.

These examples showcase AI’s vast potential for making a positive impact. It’s clear that, when used thoughtfully and responsibly, AI can offer solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. Whether it’s empowering individuals with disabilities or assisting in the fight against child exploitation, AI is showing that it can indeed be a force for good. However, for AI to reach its full potential, it must be governed and regulated properly. Without oversight, the risks associated with AI, such as bias, misuse, and overreliance, could outweigh its benefits.

Attending the AI for Good Summit left me feeling empowered to embrace this new wave of technological advancement. It’s normal to fear the unknown, especially with something as complex as AI, but we cannot let that fear prevent us from using this technology to create positive change in the world. AI holds immense promise, and if we harness it correctly, it has the potential to make a real difference in people’s lives. The future of AI is still unwritten, but with thoughtful governance and innovative applications, I believe it can help lead us toward a more just and equitable world.

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The views and opinions expressed by Global Voices Fellows do not necessarily reflect those of the organisation or its staff.