In the few years since I joined Rotary, we have seen technology advance in ways that could be the subject of Hollywood sci-fi movies.
While many still use text messages to get appointment reminders, the world has entered a new phase of its digital evolution, driven by humans, in the midst of global climate challenges, wars, mass migrations, and other international events.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all over the press and in the news. AI is in our smartphones and our smart assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Nest. AI helps us choose things to buy, influences our decisions, helps doctors to find tumours at an earlier stage, and also provides cover for criminal activity.
Regulation is playing catch up and, in the meantime, ethical frameworks and guides are being published to try and manage its design, development, and deployment.
Alicia Ridout is the director of a digital co-design company as well as a member of Aireborough Rotary Club.
So, what is Artificial Intelligence?
The Oxford (online, of course) dictionary describes it as: “The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.”
But for most people, it’s like smoke and mirrors, invisible to the eye, whose way of working is unknown and mysterious. AI is part of my doctoral studies looking at the safe use of this technology with older adults in England and there are a few salient points helpful to keep in mind.
AI is using big data and the humans designing it employ that data to train it to answer questions or solve problems.
The challenges are complex but include, for example, using data that may not reflect the needs of older people or those from diverse communities.
Big data is often taken from the internet for this purpose, so it is hard to be absolutely sure that it’s accurate.
Lesson One
Don’t assume it’s tailored to me; does it make sense?
You may have heard of ChatGTP which is a Large Language Model (LLM) AI. It has taken all the words on the internet and when you ask it a question, it will use that ‘data’ to create an answer. If it doesn’t know the answer, it can create a response that looks completely valid but is made up. Equally, it might forget things it has learned. ChatGTP is subject to copyright laws, so it does not reference anything it uses. And sometimes, it can be wrong. ChatGTP is also useful to create easy-to-understand text which may help with patient information, for example. It is a generative-form of AI which continually learns from its own activities.
Lesson Two
Use AI, but fact-check it, be vigilant, and be open about using an LLM.
Similarly, the latest AI technology is using three-second clips of human voices to create passable mimics of individuals. Unfortunately, scammers are diverting this, but it could help people using communication aids to rediscover their own voices and sense of self-identity, like Rob Burrows the rugby player who has motor neurone disease.
We are at a crossroads and can avoid the ‘smart’ world or embrace it in an educated fashion where we still put human interaction, well-being, and connectivity front and centre.”
Lesson Three
Usual rules apply to everything where scammers and phishing are concerned – stay safe online.
There are multiple definitions and examples, podcasts and guides available, in particular on BBC Sounds, which provide thought-provoking, accessible information to help us manage this new technology. It is embedded in many of our favourite smartphone apps and tablet devices, so it is no longer a future state we can avoid. We need to learn more about AI and understand the risks and benefits. That way we can decide what we feel about it and how it might help us, for example, stay safe and independent at home as we age.
Lesson Four
Keep learning, ask questions, and use verified, trusted sources of support.
What does it mean for us as Rotarians? We are people of action and put service above self. We are facing a range of recruitment challenges and an ageing membership here and internationally. I was visiting Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada in 2023 and made contact with Rotarians to find out more about their club. They are facing the same challenges we are.
They recognised the opportunities technology is now presenting Rotarians internationally and I joined their face-to-face meeting with an online presentation from Rotaract members in Morocco. Members are already experimenting with ChatGTP to create marketing materials.
AI is helping us communicate across the world, and locally via Facebook and other social media platforms. New Rotarians are likely to expect that we are a digitally enabled and smart community.
We are at a crossroads and can avoid the ‘smart’ world or embrace it in an educated fashion where we still put human interaction, well-being, and connectivity front and centre. Adapt or die? As a worldwide community, we have the opportunity to choose a new path.
Alicia Ridout
Alicia is an occupational therapist, director of a digital co-design company, a clinical safety officer, and a doctoral student looking at digital clinical safety in the use of AI with older adults already using this complex technology. She is a presidential nominee for Aireborough Rotary Club, near Leeds.
If you have a topical issue which you are an expert in and would like to share in future Big Issue platforms, then email editor@rotarygbi.org.
