Salesforce London World Tour 2023: Luminary Keynote with Zahra Bahrololoumi and guest Mo Gawdat

A thought provoking conversation about The Intersection of Humans and AI

Introduction:

The Luminary Keynote event featuring Zahra Bahrololoumi and special guest Mo Gawdat was a captivating exploration into the world of artificial intelligence (AI). While the event offered plenty of entertaining moments, it also delved into the profound implications and challenges associated with human interaction with AI. Gawdat, an acclaimed business author and former Chief Business Officer at Google, shared his extensive research on the topic, shedding light on the myths surrounding AI and highlighting the transformative potential it holds for society. This blog post will delve into the key takeaways from the event and offer insights on the evolving relationship between humans and AI.

Image credit: Nadio Granata

The Myth of Artificiality:

Contrary to popular belief, AI is not a recent development. Humans have been working with AI since 1956. However, it is the advent of technologies like ChatGPT that has brought AI to the forefront of public consciousness. Gawdat emphasized that AI is not something purely artificial; rather, it is a tool that amplifies human capabilities. He expressed his long-term optimism, asserting that the challenges associated with AI are more about humanity than the machines themselves. Gawdat predicted that the fabric of society will undergo dramatic changes in the next 5-10 years, putting human ethics to the test.

The Power of Human Intelligence:

Gawdat highlighted the extraordinary power of human intelligence as the superpower of humanity. He posited that society will witness a redistribution of power and wealth, which he referred to as a singularity. This transformation poses both risks and opportunities. Gawdat emphasized that the enormous potential of AI is often underestimated, sharing his own affection for these machines. As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, understanding the ethical implications of its use will be crucial.

The Interplay of Ethics and Intelligence:

One of Gawdat's central messages revolved around the relationship between ethics and intelligence. He argued that ethics should prevail over intelligence when establishing our value systems. Building on this idea, he emphasized the need for recurring patterns of best behavior aligned with three core human values: happiness, compassion, and love. Gawdat proposed that human emotions can be distilled into equations, raising the question of how we measure fairness in the context of AI.

Humanistic Interaction with AI:

Gawdat stressed the importance of remaining "humanistic" when interacting with AI systems like voice assistants such as Alexa. He urged individuals to maintain politeness and respect in their interactions, even though these AI entities lack sentience. Gawdat suggested that such behavior would influence the power-distance relationship that humans are already developing with AI. This concept of maintaining respectful interactions with AI raises intriguing questions about the evolving dynamics between humans and technology.

Closing Remarks:

During the London World Tour 2023, Gawdat's closing remarks left a lasting impression on attendees, including Salesforce’s own Stuart Mills and MVP Stephanie Herrera with whom I continued the conversation over drinks on the Trailblazer Camp.

Gawdat’s assertion that “As humans become more intelligent, they also develop a greater respect for life” seemed to resonate deeply with us and the audience, offering hope for a future where increased intelligence leads to a more compassionate society.

Final thoughts:

The Luminary Keynote event featuring Zahra Bahrololoumi and Mo Gawdat provided a thought-provoking exploration of the intricate relationship between humans and AI. Gawdat's insights on the transformative potential of AI and the ethical considerations associated with its integration shed light on the challenges and opportunities ahead. As society grapples with the rapid advancements in AI technology, it becomes increasingly important to navigate the complex dynamics between humans and intelligent machines with respect and careful consideration.

References:

1. Culture and Organizations by Gert Hofstede: https://amzn.eu/d/cNkRwsj

About the Author:

Nadio Granata FCIM, FHEA 

… is the former brand director of an award-winning Salesforce SI Platinum partner, publisher of the SF Society Magazine and Co-founder of The Age of Human Think Tank. 

To join his Ai Curious Collective Group on LinkedIn click here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12791455