The Impact of AI & Big Data Expo

Introduction

AI is more than a trend and it’s also not a specialist space anymore. This year, the topic was embedded across the tech conference calendar in London—with every event packed full of people keen to learn and share their experiences.

Highlights from the Expo

• The AI & Big Data Expo stood out for its great mixture of speakers, not only targeting people working within data, but making the topics feel completely accessible to somebody who isn’t a data scientist by background.
• Discussions on ethics and governance were particularly interesting and resonate with a diverse range of sectors.
• One talk tackled governance, and how governments are still playing catch up.
• Safeguarding is a huge area of concern, especially for third sector organizations that handle sensitive data about vulnerable individuals.

Regulation and Ethics in AI

There seems to be an overarching feeling that AI has to be regulated, but whether the regulation that people want is possible is the next big question. Can it be regulated, and how? Is the legislation in the US going to be effective, or will it be watered down? Tech leaders and governments must take the lead by demonstrating responsible approaches and creating frameworks around safeguarding and risks.

Impacts on Third Sector

Third sector organizations need more awareness of the potential risks and ethical implications of AI. The mainstream is also thinking about transparency, and AI providers and tools have not yet done enough to flag the potential risks for third sector organizations.

Future Opportunities

As these debates continue and the technology develops, it’s important that there are spaces in which the third sector can be heard alongside private or statutory organizations. At the AI & Big Data Expo, the opportunity was taken to showcase work and garner enthusiasm in the ‘data for good’ movement.

Conclusion

The AI & Big Data Expo provided a platform for important discussions regarding the future of AI, ethics, and governance. The next step is to continue these conversations and create responsible approaches to the deployment of AI technologies.