The 2024 AI for Good Global Summit: Key Highlights

The 2024 AI for Good Global Summit united an eclectic and vibrant community of over 700 speakers from 147 countries. The event featured more than 100 sessions brimming with groundbreaking ideas and solutions aimed at leveraging artificial intelligence to tackle some of the globe’s most urgent issues. Here are the top five memorable moments from the summit:

1. Youth Zone

   The “AI for Good Youth Zone” was a lively and essential section of the comprehensive AI for Good Youth Program. It offered an exciting lineup of practical workshops and hands-on sessions centered around AI and robotics. Educators, students, and professionals came together for a one-of-a-kind educational experience. Across two days, 9 workshops orchestrated by 11 partners attracted around 300 participants, including both youth and industry experts.

   This Youth Zone served as a unique space for participants to immerse themselves in interactive and collaborative learning. The workshops aimed to inspire and educate, covering a wide range of topics from AI EdTech robots, like the VEX Robotics organized by TechLabs.ch, to disaster robotics and self-driving vehicles. Each session was crafted to promote practical learning through real-world applications, teamwork projects, and innovative initiatives.

   A standout moment was the “Robotics for Good Youth Challenge,” a globally recognized competition under the UN umbrella. Participants utilized their robotics and coding skills to address challenges derived from real-world issues. Engaging in a humanitarian robotics simulation enabled attendees to role-play as aid workers, tackling a simulated rescue mission with mBot2 robots from Makeblock, organized by the Global Shapers – Geneva Hub’s Voyage Numérique project. This emphasized the significant role of robotics in humanitarian efforts.

   The autonomous vehicle workshop presented by EPFL offered hands-on experience with AI, machine learning, and computer vision, demonstrating how smart cars perceive and analyze their environments. Another creative workshop from the Center for Learning Sciences LEARN – EPFL allowed participants to create animated kinetic paper designs using Thymio educational robots, merging art and technology beautifully. Parents and professionals also participated in a special session organized by Mobsya and LEARN – EPFL, which explored the digital education curriculum and fundamental AI concepts taught in schools across French-speaking Switzerland. Additionally, children engaged in fun robotics activities using Thymio AI educational robots organized by Learning Robots, Mobsya, and Thymio & AI at the Digital Kidz Suisse booth.

2. Geoffrey Hinton Keynote Interview with Nicholas Thompson

   Among the summit’s most eagerly awaited sessions was an interview with Geoffrey Hinton, a trailblazer in artificial intelligence, conducted by Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic. Hinton is celebrated for his revolutionary contributions to the field of AI. As he took the stage, the audience appreciated his profound influence and warm, brilliant intellect.

   Reflecting on a humorous personal story from a year ago, Hinton suggested that plumbing might offer a more lasting career than various tech professions, humorously highlighting AI’s current limitations in physical tasks. This light-hearted note set the foundation for a deep exploration of Hinton’s insights and the evolution of his thoughts regarding AI.

   He shared his early realization that modeling AI after the architecture of the human brain could lead to highly capable computing systems. Initially met with skepticism from peers, this idea later garnered recognition, paving the way for important AI advancements. Hinton’s illustrious journey includes receiving the prestigious Turing Award and making significant strides at Google, furthering his groundbreaking concepts.

   A watershed moment in early 2023 came when Hinton recognized the existential threats posed by AI, prompting his decision to retire from Google to vocalize these concerns freely. His transition was influenced by insights gained from working with analog computers, recognizing that digital computation’s ability to create identical model copies allows for unprecedented data sharing and learning capabilities, which, as he pointed out, enables AI systems like GPT-4 to amass knowledge far exceeding human ability.

   “Up until that point, I’d spent 50 years thinking that if we could only make it more like the brain, it will be better,” Hinton shared, “I finally realized at the beginning of 2023 that it has something the brain can never have because it’s digital—you can make many copies of the same model that work in exactly the same way.”

   Read more on the interview here.

3. Tristan Harris: The AI Dilemma – Navigating the Future

   In the rapidly evolving realm of AI, discussions about its growth and implications are increasingly critical. Tristan Harris, co-founder and executive director of the Center for Humane Technology, has become a pivotal voice in addressing the ethical and societal impacts of AI. During his recent talk at the summit, titled “The AI Dilemma: Navigating the Road Ahead,” Harris examined the intricate and urgent challenges posed by AI technologies.

   “AI grants us superpowers. Whichever capabilities we possess as a species, AI amplifies them exponentially,” Harris noted.

   He elaborated on AI’s potential to significantly enhance human capabilities while also introducing substantial risks needing careful management. He called attention to the perilous incentive structures defining current AI development. The competitive rush to rapidly deploy AI innovations often sidelines safety and ethical considerations, creating a “race to the bottom” reminiscent of the early days of social media, where a focus on engagement resulted in various societal problems, such as misinformation and addiction.

   “If we don’t appropriately understand the risks, then we won’t reach that positive future,” Harris cautioned.

   Read more on the panel here.

4. Canvas of the Future 2024 Winner

   One of the standout moments at this year’s AI for Good Global Summit was the Canvas of the Future AI Art Contest, held in collaboration with Shutterstock. Artists and AI enthusiasts from around the globe were invited to craft inspiring and innovative visual artworks using AI tools, reflecting their vision for a sustainable future in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

   Amidst a plethora of impressive entries, Baris Gencel’s artwork truly distinguished itself. Gencel, the Director of Digital Transformation and Innovation at the Lanvin Group in Shanghai, received recognition for his evocative piece titled “Faces of Extinction of Species: Our Faces, Their Faces.” This artwork poignantly illustrates the interconnectedness between humanity and endangered species, resonating profoundly with the summit’s overarching themes of sustainability and AI’s capacity to confront global challenges.

   His creation topped nearly 100 entries from 37 countries, demonstrating its powerful message and exceptional artistic execution. Gencel’s piece captures the essence of the ongoing environmental crisis, skillfully highlighting the struggles of endangered species through a compelling blend of human and animal imagery. Upon receiving the award, he expressed gratitude and optimism for the future of art and technology.