Lord Kulveer Ranger, a prominent figure in digital transformation and urban development, with over twenty-five years of industry and public sector experience, recently completed a short course on the Ethics of AI at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). This move highlights the growing importance of ethical considerations in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
From Theory to Practice: The Evolution of AI Ethics
Five years ago, Ranger published an opinion paper titled “Digital Vision for Artificial Intelligence” while working with Atos. Since then, the landscape of AI has undergone significant changes. As he notes, “The application and the awareness of AI has evolved at a humongous pace since then.”
The course at LSE provided Ranger with insights into the academic perspective on AI ethics. He found it “thought provoking” to learn about the efforts being made and lessons learned by academics and industry professionals alike. The experience left him convinced that “we have so much more to do” in the realm of AI ethics.
Bridging Academia and Industry
Ranger’s participation in the course reflects a growing trend of professionals seeking to understand the academic approach to AI ethics. He admits, “I did take the course as an opportunity to gain insight into what academics are thinking about, and teaching when it comes to AI and ethics.”
This cross-pollination of ideas between industry and academia is crucial for developing comprehensive ethical frameworks for AI. Ranger emphasises the importance of this exchange, stating, “It is always interesting to get different perspectives, but academia has huge influence on the minds of so many who will then go on to use what they are learning to shape future developments.”
The Challenges of Ethical AI Implementation
In his interview, Ranger touched upon the complexities of implementing ethical AI in real-world scenarios. He pointed out that the tech industry “has got a long way to go” in terms of sustainability and ethical considerations.
“There is no conversation that doesn’t begin with saying, ‘Whatever we’re trying to do, what’s the impact, the impact on the environment, the impact on people?'” Ranger stated. He emphasized that sustainability should be the starting point of every conversation about technological advancement, not an afterthought.
AI and Urban Development: A Double-Edged Sword
Ranger’s background in urban development provides a unique perspective on the potential applications and challenges of AI in city planning. He sees AI as a tool that could revolutionise urban mobility and governance but also recognises the need for caution.
“We’ve got to understand, people have to understand where it’s coming from, to understand where it potentially will go, and the massive impact, yes, that it could have, but also the role that we, all of us, play in developing that impact of AI,” Lord Kulveer Ranger explained. He added, “We are right at the beginning of the transformation of personal mobility and the traditional commercial models of car ownership. The intersection between EVs and next generation charging infrastructure, the increased mass usage of mobility services such as Uber will drive the evolution of Personal Mobility as a Service. This will mean a more fluid and frictionless level of mobility that will have significant implications for urban city planners both now and in the near future, as well as leading to the cultural line between public and private transport modes blurring.”
The Future of Digital Currency and Personal Privacy
Looking ahead, Ranger identified digital currency as a critical area where AI and ethics will significantly intersect. He predicted that the evolution of money into digital forms would be a significant challenge in the coming years, raising important questions about privacy and control. As central banks around the world are already progressing with plans for CBDCs (central banks digital currency).
“Where is ‘your money’ in that form, and how comfortable do you feel about that?” Ranger posited, highlighting the need for careful consideration of personal digital ecosystems in the face of advancing technology and the protection of personal privacy.
Balancing Progress and Inclusivity
One of the key challenges Ranger identified is the need to balance rapid technological advancement with societal inclusivity. He stressed that any digital transformation, especially at a government or city level, must be inclusive.
“You have to move at a pace that includes society from all sides of the spectrum, from all ends. That’s the litmus test when looking to assess a government’s plan or policy.” Ranger explained. This approach seeks to ensure that no segment of society is left behind or does not benefit in the digital revolution.
Conclusion: A Call for Continued Engagement
Ranger’s recent foray into academic study of AI ethics underscores the importance of ongoing dialogue between industry, academia, and policymakers. As AI continues to shape our world, ethical considerations must remain at the forefront of development and implementation.
“I am glad to have taken this opportunity to be exposed to some fantastic thinking and hope to continue to engage and be informed by academic research, and fellow members of the ethical AI community, as we seek to shape legislation for the future and the better world we all want to create with this new technology,” Ranger concluded.
As the field of AI ethics continues to evolve, it is clear that multidisciplinary experience and approaches like Ranger’s will be crucial in navigating the complex landscape of digital transformation, delivery of technology led services and design of digital native policies. The future of AI development will lie at the heart of this era of technological advancements but equally, success will also be dependent on ensuring these advancements align with societal values and ethical standards.
