
Artificial Intelligence
Robots and artificial intelligence aren’t just rising — they’re here, reshaping our digital landscape. AI is revolutionizing highways, hospitals and homes, from driverless cars to automated medical devices and delivery drones. The rewards are promising, but at what cost? And who’s left out?
Unit 1: Doha Debates Asks
Doha Debates Asks: Would You Trust a Computer With Ethical Decisions?
Essential questions:
- What do you think when you hear AI?
- Can computers have consciousness?
- Would you trust a computer to make important ethical decisions?
- If most jobs were automated, would the world be better or worse off?
- Are there jobs AI can’t do?
- If AI develops far enough, will machines deserve rights too?
Unit 2: A Brief History of AI
A Brief History of Artificial Intelligence
Doha Debates Correspondent Nelufar Hedayat breaks down a brief history of artificial intelligence.
Essential questions
1. How do people interact with AI? When was the idea of AI first created? What are the different types of AI?
2. What is the roll of big data?
3. Will AI become more intelligent than humans?
4. Are there ethical, moral, or privacy issues with AI? What are the issues with facial recognition?
Unit 3: The Trolley Problem - Ethics & AI
Can A.I. Solve The Trolley Problem?
Essential questions
- Is it possible for a computer to make an ethical or moral decision?
- Should AI by used in a courtroom?
- With regard to job creation, should companies invest more resources in AI or in people?
- Is AI a risk to basic human rights? How do governments use AI?
Unit 4a: Speaker Muthoni Wanyoike
Muthoni Wanyoike: AI Promises Equality Among Nations
Muthoni argues that AI has the potential to make great progress in how we solve some of humanity's biggest problems and can help us use more eco-friendly energy sources, optimize transportation and address poverty.
Muthoni Wanyoike is a data scientist from Nairobi, Kenya, and co-founder of Nairobi’s Women in Machine Learning and Data Science.
Essential questions
- What role will AI play on the continent of Africa?
- How might AI help save wildlife and find poachers?
- How might AI help lift farmers out of poverty?
- Will AI improve customer service?
Unit 4b: Speaker Dex Torricke-Barton
Dex Torricke-Barton: Tech Literacy for Lawmakers
The challenge, according to Dex, is that lawmakers need more tech literacy and are making a huge mistake by expecting tech companies to solve every ethical dilemma without collaboration. Tech companies and pioneers should work in partnership with policymakers and the public, Dex says.
Dex Torricke-Barton is director at the Brunswick Group in London, and a former communications executive at Facebook, Google and SpaceX.
Essential questions
- How might AI solve world problems?
- What can people in positions of power do with regard to AI?
- Why is it important for people in the technology fields to work with policy makers?
- At what level should politicians understand AI?
- Is AI good, evil, or just a tool to be used?
Unit 4c: Speaker Nick Bostrom
Nick Bostrom: A.I. Could Destroy Humanity
But in the long run, Nick believes, the development of human-level artificial general intelligence and superintelligence could bend the trajectory of life and might be the last invention we ever make.
Nick Bostrom is director of Oxford University’s Future of Humanity Institute, and the author of the bestselling book “Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies.”
Essential questions
- If progress in AI is rapid, what might it lead to?
- Why is it important to look at AI from the short term and long term perspectives?
- What might be the impact of AI super intelligence developing?
- Is it possible to stop AI development and progress?
- Would someone be willing to take a stand on the issue of AI?
Unit 4d: for Speaker Joy Buolamwini
Joy Buolamwini: AI Face Recognition May Amplify Inequality
Joy believes that without regulation and public oversight, AI can compound the social inequalities that its advocates hope to overcome.
Joy Buolamwini is a computer scientist and digital activist at the MIT Media Lab, and founder of the Algorithmic Justice League.
Essential questions
- How might people be overconfident and underprepared for AI?
- How might AI create inequality?
- What areas in AI are there shortcomings in its development?
- In what ways are there biases and “coded gaze” found in AI?
- How will people outside of the tech world have a say in AI development?
Unit 5: Connector
Dr. Govinda Clayton: Exploring the common themes of A.I.
Given the speakers' agreement that AI is here to stay and will continue to grow exponentially, how can we best manage its risks and maximize its benefits? Where are the areas of convergence and points of disagreement on the role of regulation and public oversight?
Govinda Clayton is a senior researcher in peace processes at the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich, and a world expert in negotiation and mediation.
Essential questions
1. What is a Majlis?
2. Is AI here and will it continue to grow?
3. How should AI be regulated?
4. What are the time horizons regarding AI both in the short and long term?
About Deep Dive
Doha Debates hosts discussions on the world’s most pressing challenges to bridge differences, build consensus and identify solutions. In each moderated live debate, experts share their experiences and propose concrete plans. Doha Debates also offers digital resources such as videos and articles to help students build a deep understanding of the issues and to foster ongoing conversations.