Experts address AI’s growing pains at TED AI 2024

SAN FRANCISCO—The first day of TED AI 2024 began Tuesday at San Francisco’s Herbst Theater, featuring speakers addressing the impact of AI on science, art, and society. The two-day event brought together researchers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, and other experts to paint a complex picture of AI while minimizing the hype.

The second annual conference, hosted by Walter and Sam de Brouwer, marked a marked change from last year’s widespread existential debates and declarations that AI was the “new power.” Rather than comprehensive predictions about, say, looming artificial general intelligence (although there were still some), the speakers focused on battles over training data rights, proposals for hardware-based regulation, and the relationship between humans and AI. The main focus was on pressing issues, such as discussions about relationships. , and the complex dynamics of workplace recruitment.

Today’s sessions covered a wide range of topics. Physicist Carlo Rovelli explores consciousness and time, Project CETI researcher Patricia Sharma demonstrates attempts to use AI to decipher whale communications, and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Mr. Junior outlined the music industry’s adaptation strategy, and even some robots were created. exterior.

Last year’s shift from theoretical discussions to practical concerns was particularly evident in a presentation by the Wharton School’s Ethan Mollick, who discussed what he called the “productivity paradox,” or how AI’s measured Addressed the disconnect between impact and perceived benefits in the workplace. Already, organizations are moving beyond the post-ChatGPT genius era to the impact of widespread use.

Building on research that claims AI users complete tasks faster and more efficiently, Mollick highlighted a unique phenomenon. Although one-third of Americans reported using AI in August of this year, managers often claim that “no one is using AI” in their organizations. Through a live demonstration using multiple AI models simultaneously, Molik explained how traditional work patterns need to evolve to accommodate AI capabilities. He also pointed to the emergence of what he calls “secret cyborgs,” people whose employees silently use AI tools without management’s knowledge. Regarding the future of work in the age of AI, he urged organizations to view AI not just as a cost-cutting measure but as an opportunity for expansion.