BBC expert explores AI impact
Will AI save us?
The BBC’s Head of Technology Futures, Laura Ellis, discussed this question with AUT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Damon Salesa at the recent AUT Technology in Society event.
The Technology in Society Speaker series is part of AUT’s approach to grappling with AI and how it will impact our work, lives, and future – and helping students, staff and the public do the same.
Laura is a technologist and journalist with a focus on emerging technology, machine learning, disinformation, and data. She has worked on news teams in radio, TV, and online and led two regional news and current affairs teams thorough significant technology change, establishing the BBC’s first end-to-end digital newsroom.
In her current role she focuses on ensuring the BBC is best placed to take advantage of emerging technology and takes a particular interest in ethics, personalised and automated journalism, machine learning and generative AI.
Laura noted the speed of change, and the need for organisations like AUT and individuals to engage on the future.
“This is going to fundamentally change the way we live. It is terrifying and exciting. The decisions we make now are going to affect the lives of generations to come.”
With a pressing need to focus on the ethics, Laura noted New Zealand’s potential to influence and use its expertise in respecting indigenous culture, and considering the environment to contribute to the way the GenAI future unfolds.
“Let’s remember we have agency – we are the people who will decide where this goes, and we may have to shout about it!” she told the audience.
Professor Salesa said he had noted the ‘call to participation in the creation of an ethical, safe and inclusive future’ issues at the forefront of AUT’s thinking as New Zealand’s only university of Technology.