Threat or indispensable tool? «Artificial Intelligence is the most disruptive technology we've ever seen», says Neil Lawrence, professor of machine learning at the University of Cambridge. But on the other hand, «it's the continuation of a technological revolution» in the way we share information via a computer.

Live in Lisbon, the guest on this edition of the «It's not that simple» programme says that one of the problems with this digital tool is that «it's not being used in the areas that people are asking us to use it: health, social care, education or security».

Artificial intelligence should be used to solve persistent challenges and its added value applied effectively, for example by optimising time in essential professions. «With this wave of technology, there is an opportunity to re-empower our nurses, our teachers and other people who make society a better place», he emphasises.

Although he is optimistic about man's relationship with this technology, Neil Lawrence is aware of the difficulties of regulating an area where evolution is so rapid that it is impossible to keep up. And he says that it shouldn't be regulators who are «not very agile and capable’ who will ‘decide everyone's future».

That's why he believes that regulators should be closer to companies and their dilemmas and be better able to understand technological reactions before making decisions.

It is with a focus on balanced regulation in this area that the expert is collaborating with the OECD to define guidelines that promote the responsible and democratic use of AI. «This is the most dangerous part of the reality we find ourselves in. We're at a stage where companies are trying to preserve their slice of the market» by restricting public access to AI, he says.

Instead, he argues, «we should encourage young people and people who want to do interesting and innovative things to use this technology».

More on the topic:

Neil Lawrence: «The Atomic Human: What makes us unique in the age of AI» (Talks at Google)

Neil Lawrence: «The Atomic Human - Understanding ourselves in the age of AI» (Finnish Centre for Artificial Intelligence)

Neil Lawrence: ‘Is AI beyond our human understanding?’

BBC interview

Interview with the University of Cambridge

Episode of the ‘Futures’ podcast

Neil Lawrence's Linkedin

Artificial Intelligence, with Neil Lawrence

It’s not that simple