Fei-Fei Li, a leading scholar from Stanford and founder of World Labs, was an esteemed guest at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit held at the Grand Palais in Paris on Monday. She had the honor of delivering the inaugural address at the event that is scheduled to continue throughout the week.
Her thoughts on the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) and the overall AI ecosystem were intriguing, as she managed to balance her viewpoints, showing support for both businesses and opposition to monopolistic tech giants and AI labs.
She emphasized the need for a more diversified and robust AI environment, where academia and community can contribute. Fei-Fei Li advocated for the participation of open-source communities and the public sector, alongside large corporations, in driving AI technology forward. Her belief is that if AI is going to revolutionize the world, it should be shaped by individuals from all aspects of life.
Fei-Fei Li also pointed out the potential detrimental effects of concentrating resources within a few corporations. She argues that this could stifle curiosity-driven research, hinder the engagement of top educational talent, limit open-source initiatives, and obstruct multidisciplinary explorations.
Moreover, the renowned researcher expressed her apprehension about AI regulation on a global scale. Instead of focusing on specific governments or laws, she advocated for a more practical approach. Fei-Fei Li stressed the importance of governing based on scientific facts, not speculative fiction. She urged for a more scientific methodology in evaluating and quantifying AI’s potential and limitations, which could lead to more accurate, actionable policies.
She cautioned against imposing unnecessary constraints on AI research. She encouraged an attitude of pragmatism rather than ideology when it comes to AI governance. Fei-Fei Li believes that AI can greatly enhance our lives and work if utilized properly. Therefore, rather than inhibiting the exploratory research of this emerging technology, we should prioritize its practical applications to ensure its positive use and prevent detrimental outcomes.
Fei-Fei Li predicted that historians would eventually refer to the present as the dawn of the AI era, a period that could have significant implications for civilization. She acknowledged the potential impact of AI on employment but remained optimistic that AI could enhance and empower us, assuming the right decisions are made by policymakers, AI corporations, and the research community.
Government officials and tech industry leaders are set to sign and distribute a statement at the conclusion of the AI Action Summit on Tuesday.
