The GenAI Revolution, Ep 1: What is GenAI and Why is it Biased?

You've probably noticed how discussions about AI, particularly Generative AI, have been everywhere since the start of 2023. It's called a disruptive technology since it's rapidly and thoroughly changing how humans operate in every digital space, which of course has implications beyond just the digital world. 

This 1st episode of our 3 part mini-series, The GenAI Revolution: Navigating the Potential & Peril for Howard University & Our Communities, hosted by Dr. Kweli Zukeri delves into the rapid rise and pervasive influence of Generative AI. Perspectives on AI's influence vary: some see it as a boon to creativity and productivity, while others fear job displacement and intellectual exploitation.

Join us to hear from Howard University, HBCU, and tech leaders in discussion about how AI works and why it’s biased, as well as the root causes of these biases, which stem from the data and algorithms that power it. We dig into how AI biases can shape our world and what we can do to challenge and change them.

From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.

Episode Quotes:

Overcoming fear and seizing opportunities with AI

24:40: [Coretta Martin] Innovation is a part of life. And for people to embrace artificial intelligence, I think that there's a lot of fear right now that it's a robot, someone's going to lose their job. And, mind you, if you work in customer service or in office space, there are some studies that say there might be some impact on jobs, but there's really going to be more of an impact on the increased amount of jobs and the increased amount of opportunities. Socrates was worried about writing. Other people were worried about radio. Some people were worried about the printing press and no one being able to memorize things anymore. In 2005, when I was at Howard, they were worried about email. AI is just the next thing. It's here. It's great. There are so many uses. Get into it. Like, be into it and really figure out how you can use it in your life or how you can be a part of the movement of building it.

On technology’s potential

23:52: [Sam Altman] I think critical thinking, creativity, the ability to figure out what other people want, and the ability to have new ideas—in some sense, that'll be the most valuable skills of the future. [25:12] If you think of a world where every one of us has a whole company worth of AI assistants that are doing tasks for us to help us express our vision, make things for other people, and make these new things in the world, the most important thing then will be the quality of the ideas, the curation of the ideas, because AI can generate lots of great ideas, but you still need a human there to say this is the thing other people want. And also, humans, I think, really care about the human behind something.

How AI gives us back our time

18:18: [Amy Quarkume] Time is a great gift. It's a great gift you cannot give back, right? So, the idea that I can do something and not spend so much time gives me more time to do something else. So, as we talk about our communities, many times I would be great if I rested. I would be great if I had an assistant. I would be great if I just had time to myself. So, AI creates that.

Guest Profiles and Show Links:

• Kweli Zukeri | Howard Profiles
• Kweli Zukeri | LinkedIn 
• Kweli Zukeri Email
• Gabriella Waters | LinkedIn
• Cognitive and Neurodiversity AI (CoNA) Lab at Morgan State Universit