People+ai Theses

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Society Areas

Welcome to a future by design. We want to examine AI's impact on society in the Indian context and help shape some of the conversations around it.
Written by
@Sonia Rebecca Menezes
. Powered by ☕️.

Where are we today?

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We recognize that while AI offers massive potential to improve people’s lives, its integration into society raises important questions and concerns that need to be addressed thoughtfully.
Before we dive into what we think, let’s hear what YOU think.
How do you think AI will shape culture and society? Do the benefits of AI outweigh the risks? Do we need more regulations? Are you concerned about the ethical implications of wide-scale AI use?
Take 2 seconds to ponder.

I think AI has more benefits than risks.

3

I think _____ is the area where AI needs to be regulated the most.

Tell us what you think:
Healthcare
+1

⭐️ Key assumptions

Here’s what we assume to be true:
There is growing interest in understanding AI's impact on arts and creative industries.
The spread of misinformation is a significant concern, and while everyone thinks AI is the problem, we think AI can be a part of the solution.
The ethical implications of deepfakes and AI-generated content are not yet fully understood or addressed in the Indian context.
Indian policymakers are increasingly recognizing the need for AI-specific regulations across various sectors.
These assumptions guide our activities in three key areas:
Public understanding: We want to help create a more nuanced understanding of AI's impact on culture, information integrity, ethics, and policy in the Indian context. This will be through content and events.
Ethical considerations: We want to promote the development and adoption of ethical AI practices to ensure AI technologies are developed and deployed responsibly in the Indian context. This can be through developing guidelines and supporting projects like AI Promise.
Policy insights: We want to work with legal experts to create evidence-based insights to inform AI policy discussions in India. We can publish some white papers/reports on this to contribute to the development of balanced and effective AI regulations.

✨ Potential solutions

We think these areas are worth exploring to help us create a future by design – one where AI benefits and enriches society in meaningful ways.
A People+AI: approach Showcasing AI-human collaborations in the creative industries will lead to greater acceptance and creative exploration of AI in cultural domains.
Combating misinformation: We want to help build practical tools for identifying AI-generated misinformation to empower the public and media organizations
Guardrails: We want to develop an ethical framework for AI-generated content to help establish industry standards and best practices.
Open conversations: We want to facilitate dialogue between technologists, policymakers, and domain experts that will lead to more informed and balanced AI policies.

🤔 How do you feel about these assumptions and potential solutions?

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Themes we’re exploring

While we know there’s a whole universe 🌏 of things we can do to help AI improve society, we need to start somewhere. And for now, here’s what we’re hoping to explore.

🎭 AI and the arts

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AI is transforming the creative landscape in fascinating ways. In the arts, AI can generate new forms of music, assist in designing visual art, and even help writers brainstorm ideas. Best case scenario: AI becomes a valuable tool for artists, enhancing their creativity and expanding their capabilities. Imagine AI helping musicians create entirely new genres or visual artists generating pieces that blend styles in unprecedented ways. This could lead to a richer, more diverse cultural scene.
On the flip side, there’s a concern that AI might overshadow human creativity. Worst case: AI-generated content becomes so prevalent that it devalues the unique human touch in art. BOO! To avoid this, it's crucial to establish clear roles for AI and human creators, ensuring that AI is seen as a collaborative partner rather than a replacement. Exploring AI in the arts means setting guidelines that celebrate both technological innovation and human creativity.

AI and misinformation

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AI’s role in misinformation is a double-edged lightsaber. ⚔️
On one hand, AI can generate convincing fake news and other misleading content. This can lead to widespread misinformation, eroding public trust and causing social unrest. Worst case: unchecked AI-generated misinformation creates a climate of confusion and distrust, making it harder for people to discern truth from fiction.
Your uncle’s WhatsApp forwards take over the world.
On the flip side, AI also holds the key to combating misinformation. AI-driven tools can help detect and flag fake news, verify facts, and ensure the accuracy of information. Best case: AI becomes an essential tool in the fight against misinformation, empowering people and media organizations to uphold information integrity.
AI can help journalists verify sources, provide real-time fact-checking, and ensure that the information circulating is accurate.
What we want to do: Develop sophisticated algorithms that can keep pace with evolving misinformation tactics and ensure these tools are accessible and effective for everyone. By investing in research and collaboration with tech experts and media organizations, we can build systems that identify and counteract misinformation.

AI ethics

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Murky, murky, but let’s make it worky.
The ethical considerations surrounding AI use are vast, particularly regarding data privacy and the ethical use of AI-generated content. We need to ask: How do we protect personal data? How do we prevent the misuse of AI in ways that could harm individuals or society?
Worst case: Without proper ethical frameworks, AI could lead to significant privacy violations, identity theft, and the proliferation of malicious content. The misuse of AI could result in deepfakes causing personal and political harm, and personal data being exploited.
We won’t let this happen.
Best case: we establish clear, enforceable standards for ethical AI use that protect individuals’ privacy and prevent the abuse of AI technologies. This involves collaborating with policymakers, tech experts, and ethicists to create balanced and effective regulations. Addressing these ethical concerns ensures that AI development aligns with societal values and promotes trust in AI.
What we want to do: Promote the development and adoption of ethical AI practices to ensure AI technologies are developed and deployed responsibly in the Indian context. This can be achieved through developing guidelines, supporting projects like AI Promise, and working with legal experts to create evidence-based insights that inform AI policy discussions.

AI and policy

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We need policies around AI use, but not stifling ones. And we need AI to help us drive policy forward. Best case: AI-driven policies lead to more efficient public services, improved decision-making, and enhanced governance. We’re talking about streamlined bureaucratic processes, optimized resource allocation, and data-driven insights empowering policymakers to make better decisions.
This could result in more responsive, transparent, and effective governance that truly benefits the citizens. Yes please.
Worst case: AI use is unregulated. Poorly regulated AI could lead to biased decision-making, privacy violations, and a lack of accountability in public services. There's a risk that without proper oversight, AI could worsen existing inequalities or create new ones, making it crucial to address these issues proactively.
What we want to do: Develop evidence-based AI policies that maximize benefits while minimizing risks. This involves promoting transparency, ensuring equitable access to AI technologies, and fostering collaboration between technologists, policymakers, and legal experts. Our goal is to create balanced and effective regulations that support the ethical and responsible use of AI in governance, enhancing the quality of public services and improving the lives of citizens.

Are you still with me?

2
Take a break with these confused puppies before we continue.
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Activities under each of these themes

Enough talking, time to start doing. Here’s what we want to do, and we need YOU – your help, your resources, your time, your network, your skills, your drive – to help us accomplish all these bold and beautiful goals.
We’re putting together a laundry list of activities that you can get involved in. Let’s begin.

AI and the arts

Organize collaborative exhibitions showcasing AI-human art partnerships: Host exhibitions that highlight the creative collaboration between AI and human artists, demonstrating how AI can enhance and inspire new forms of artistic expression.
Launch an AI and arts initiative to fund and support artists using AI in their work: Provide grants and resources to artists experimenting with AI, encouraging innovation and the exploration of new creative possibilities.
Collaborations with orgs like Bharat Diffusion to create designs with an Indian context, showcasing AI's ability to respect cultural diversity: Partner with cultural organizations to develop AI-driven projects that celebrate and preserve India's rich cultural heritage, demonstrating AI's ability to understand and respect diverse cultural contexts.
Guest blog posts and contributions from industry professionals in the arts: Invite artists and creatives to share their insights and experiences with AI, fostering a diverse and informed dialogue on AI's impact and potential in the arts.

I’d like to help with these!

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AI and misinformation

Publish a comprehensive report on AI-driven misinformation detection techniques and their effectiveness in the Indian media landscape: Conduct thorough research and analysis on current misinformation detection techniques, evaluating their success and areas for improvement in the Indian context.
Partner with some orgs to build a tool that can help combat misinformation - can be a very specific area or approach: Collaborate with tech companies, media organizations, and educational institutions to develop and deploy tools specifically designed to identify and combat misinformation.
Create an online platform for AI policy discussion and collaboration: Develop a digital space where policymakers, technologists, and citizens can discuss AI policy issues, share ideas, and collaborate on solutions.
Organize annual conferences on AI and its societal impacts: Host conferences that bring together experts from around the world to discuss the latest developments in AI and their implications for society, promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration.

I’d like to help with these!

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AI ethics

Create guidelines for ethical AI development tailored to Indian industries and cultural contexts: Develop comprehensive ethical guidelines in collaboration with industry leaders and ethicists to ensure AI technologies are used responsibly across sectors like healthcare, education, and finance.
Publish collaborative white papers/reports with legal experts: Work with legal scholars and practitioners to publish in-depth reports that provide policy insights and recommendations for regulating AI in India, addressing issues like privacy, bias, and accountability.
Develop educational programs and workshops on AI ethics and policy: Create and offer programs and workshops aimed at educating policymakers, industry leaders, and the public on the ethical implications of AI and the need for thoughtful regulation.
Establish a task force to monitor and report on the social impact of AI in India: Set up a dedicated group to regularly assess and report on how AI is affecting various aspects of Indian society, ensuring that its benefits are maximized while its risks are mitigated.

I’d like to help with these!

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AI and policy

Create an online platform for AI policy discussion and collaboration: Develop a digital space where policymakers, technologists, and citizens can discuss AI policy issues, share ideas, and collaborate on solutions.
Organize annual conferences on AI and its societal impacts: Host conferences that bring together experts from around the world to discuss the latest developments in AI and their implications for society, promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Establish a task force to monitor and report on the social impact of AI in India: Set up a dedicated group to regularly assess and report on how AI is affecting various aspects of Indian society, ensuring that its benefits are maximized while its risks are mitigated.
Tools to help people with jobs: Design AI tools that assist with job matching, skill development, and career growth. These tools could help people find better job opportunities, upskill, and adapt to the changing job market.

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A future by design. That’s what we’re aiming for. It's clear that thoughtful and proactive engagement will help us get there. We can’t do it alone, our team only has 8 people – even fewer if some of them are on leave.
We invite you to join us in this journey. Whether you are an artist, technologist, policymaker, or simply an interested citizen, your insights and contributions are vital. Together, we can create guidelines, develop tools, and foster discussions that will shape the future of AI in India.
Take action today by participating in our initiatives, sharing your expertise, and collaborating on projects that matter. Your voice and actions can make a significant impact. Join us in creating a future where AI benefits everyone.
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