AI for Information Access: How Do We Do It Responsibly?

Over the last several years, AI-driven informational systems have proliferated around us. The pace at which AI is getting integrated in search, recommendation, and decision-support systems has quickened recently. Many of these are built on hopes and hypes of what AI could deliver, but it is not always clear when or if a real value to individuals and society is provided that justifies the risks we take in building and delivering such solutions. These systems are often mired in bias and unfairness (to individuals or groups), lack transparency and accountability, and provide information that are fabricated and even toxic. We are at a crossroad where we have important choices to make that will impact many aspects of our lives in profound ways. Can we overcome the challenges posed by applying AI solutions and leverage their potential for all of us? Can we mitigate risks and harms enough to bring the reward-to-risk ratio high enough for various areas like education, healthcare, and information access? Can we do this right? Providing examples of accessibility, education, healthcare, and policy. We will learn about the need for advancements not just at technical levels, but also at policy, societal, and even philosophical levels. The speaker also will bring forth some of these recent opportunities and challenges with AI to highlight where and why we are seeing the issues that hinder us from getting real benefits of AI at the societal level