Sacha Alanoca - AI Governance and fairness, and what's the difference compared to Responsible AI + next generation of leaders in AI The World We Are Building

Welcome to the second episode of The World We Are Building, the podcast which aims to bring hope, agency, and critical thinking into the AI hype cycle

Today’s guest, Sacha Alanoca, has extensive experience in AI governance, currently studying at Harvard and holding significant positions related to AI policy and technology.



Sacha underscores the importance of ethical considerations in AI development, calling for policies that not only address the immediate impacts of AI technologies but also their long-term effects on society. Her work aims to balance innovation with responsibility, promoting an AI future that is inclusive and fair for all.



Main Points in this episode:

Background and Influence:

Personal Journey: Sacha’s interest in AI was piqued by her background in politics, philosophy, and economics, combined with a deep curiosity about human society and its evolution.



Cultural Influence: Sacha discusses her multicultural background (Franco-Chilean) and how the loss of indigenous languages within her family sparked her passion for cultural representativity and inclusion in AI, emphasizing the risks of standardizing behaviors that could erase unique cultural identities.



AI Governance and Fairness:

Tech as a Human Reflection: Sacha argues that technology reflects its creators—highlighting the importance of inclusive and fair tech policies that consider all of society.

AI Fairness: She is heavily involved in promoting AI fairness, ensuring technology equitably benefits all parts of society. This includes challenging the homogenization that tech often perpetuates.



Regulatory and Societal Challenges:

Challenges in Fairness: The ‘Gender Shades’ project revealed significant biases in commercial AI systems, sparking a debate on acceptable error rates and the societal implications of biased AI systems.



Policy Development: Sacha discusses the importance of involving diverse societal voices in developing AI policies that manage fairness, transparency, and accountability comprehensively.



Future Directions and Personal Goals:

Impact of AI on Society: Looking towards the future, Sacha stresses the importance of AI technologies that do not compromise societal integrity and cohesion

Role of Policy Makers: She advocates for dynamic and responsive AI policies that can quickly adapt to technological advances, ensuring that regulatory frameworks can effectively manage emerging AI risks without stifling innovation.



If you want to get in touch with us, feel free to reach out to ⁠Allison Cohen⁠ and/or ⁠Peter Kurzwelly⁠ on LinkedIn, or both of us on ⁠Twitter/X⁠.