Matt | 10 March 2022

Understanding AI And Human Interaction

Artificial intelligence is changing how our world works and having a huge impact on human interactions. University of Hertfordshire’s Jyoti Choudrie FBCS, a Professor of Information Systems, recently discussed this subject in detail with Johanna Hamilton AMBCS.

The two are well-versed in the way information sources interact, and together they have explored the possibilities and limitations of artificial intelligence technologies.

Before we dive into what came from this intriguing discussion, it is crucial to understand that artificial intelligence is not just a single technology. It is a blend of different technologies, including machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, and so much more. It all works together as a kind of information system, in a real mix of technology, processes, and people.

AI Protecting And Preserving The Population

Professor Choudrie has recently embarked on a project alongside two colleagues at the Symbiosis International University in India to address how artificial intelligence could benefit in the fight against misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They worked together as a blend of both social scientists and technical professionals to discuss both the false and true information that was being circulated during the pandemic.

Having incorrect or negative information circulating during the pandemic is enough to cost lives. Consequently, the general public was put in a difficult position where it was challenging to know who to trust. The internet was certainly alive with opinions, ideas, and facts, but knowing which were science-based and which were not was no easy task.

This rush of incorrect facts pushed the World Health Organisation (WHO) to urge each country to take strong action against the spread of harmful information.

It was coined the infodemic, and it soon became clear that it wasn’t just COVID that was a threat to public health but the misinformation that surrounded it. Choudrie and her colleagues in India focused on sharing information between themselves from major journalists, including the BBC, The Guardian, The New York Times and more. They used 143 articles and posts from around the world to train computers and algorithms to detect what was true and what was not.

The outcome was that the artificial intelligence technology identified 81 posts as false information however it was inevitable that the computer would produce some false positives. This highlights one of the biggest concerns in artificial intelligence and machine learning, as even computer systems are unable to identify what is true and what is false.

If the human brain struggles to make these identifications, then the computer being trained by these brains is going to come across the same struggles.

AI And The Wider World

As we have just discussed, artificial intelligence can be biased. To make sure that no bias was used in the results of AI experiments, Choudrie looked into the decision making of both the technology and the humans in the widest sense.

She wanted to explore how AI will fit into society and who will it ultimately benefit. It was highlighted that who needs to decide the route for artificial intelligence and machine learning to take is still in early stages. The EU’s Shaping Europe’s Digital Future Policy Paper on AI says that the technology should be put ‘at the service’ of the European people and economy.

The biggest issue with this policy paper is that putting AI at the service of the people is very ambiguous, and people, by nature, vary greatly. This led Choudrie to consider who will benefit the most from artificial intelligence and why.

The research team decided to interview an older demographic on the subject because they are usually the most cautious about the new technologies coming to light. Older adults are not easily swayed by social media and are very much living in the real world with little technological influence. This research revealed that awareness is a critical problem when it comes to artificial intelligence.

AI And Influence

The older people used for this research were asked to validate the true and false statements in the various articles. It was soon made clear that computers being trained for AI are likely to be influenced by the person training them.

For example, one article from China News was a true story, but the majority of the older adults who read it believed it was false. So, the artificial intelligence technology will be limited and swayed by what it is told.

From here, Choudrie and her colleagues soon had many other questions about AI. Not just about its use in misinformation, but how accepting older generations are likely to be of this technology going forward. She went on to say that society is scared of robotics, machine learning and AI, but this was the case when computers were first introduced to the world.

Choudrie, just like many others, believes that artificial intelligence will slow gain acceptance from society and become an integral part of our lives.

Artificial Intelligence Training Courses

It is clear to see that the world is progressing towards artificial intelligence dependence at a fast rate, and there is extreme demand for professionals working in this industry. At TSG Training, we are experts in training courses, including AI training, and can help you and your team develop your skills in this area.

We have artificial intelligence training courses to suit all abilities, so whether you are completely new to the idea or have been working in machine learning for some time, we can help you progress your skills.

Our Designing and Implementing an Azure AI Solution course can help software developers to learn how to build AI-infused applications using Azure Cognitive Services. The intensive four-day course is conducted in our virtual classroom and is ideal for those with prior knowledge of Microsoft Azure.

If you are brand new to AI, we recommend our BCS Essentials In Artificial Intelligence Course, which gives a good overview and introduction to the subject. For more information or to discuss your training in detail, contact our team.