Back @ IT: Redefining the Relationship Between People and AI with Donald Farmer

If you ask 50 people what Artificial Intelligence (AI) is, you will likely get 50 different answers. However, people and AI are interacting more so now in ways that many aren’t aware of. But, there are positives and negatives in the use of AI and this can create opposing ideas on how to best wield it.

Further, people are complex beings, but we aren’t automatons. And, automation and AI can be great assistants in getting work done. But a big question remains: Are we thinking about AI incorrectly?

In this “Back @ IT” episode, I’m joined by Donald Farmer, Principal at TreeHive Strategy and Director of Collaborative Research at Nobody Studios. He helps me unpack the intersection of people and AI, its positive uses, inherent bias, and more.

Highlights

02:13: Donald outlines the genesis of TreeHive Strategy and the beautiful treehouse that is the setting for his creative processes. Additionally, he shares how the treehouse was built by Nelson Treehouse on the show called “Treehouse Masters“.

04:37: Nobody Studios takes a unique approach to the venture capital concept. The premise is that entrepreneurs are free to focus on bringing their ideas to life while the studio focuses on raising capital, streamlining the finances, and more.

08:16: Algorithmic bias is often perceived in an overwhelmingly negative context. However, not all bias is bad. Donald clarifies this point and shares his newer thoughts on an article he wrote in 2019 called “Let’s get clear about algorithmic bias“

12:10: Donald talks about an actual story of people and AI. A single mother was impacted by an AI algorithm in a negative way. Donald was able to assist the team to update the algorithm to account for flexibility in work schedules due to last-minute changes or needs that the single mother may face.

The real value [of AI] will come when human beings augment the automation and intelligence, and we bring our human values, insights, and complexity to things which otherwise are automated.

17:03: Companies need to be really in close touch with their customers. As AI technology usage has grown, the personal touch seems to be lost or the “little things” are overlooked.

21:56: Disruption from AI is no longer sci-fi. Companies know they need to be strategic about AI usage. However, while some companies have adopted AI and are scaling their efforts, other companies are still kicking the tires.

24:10: AI offers a fantastic opportunity for education at a personalized level. Every student has a different learning style and great teachers adapt to that. But, AI can make an enormous difference in education, but it’s not really happening.

26:01: People are not automatons. We are complex, but not algorithmic. It’s important we realize that we meet people in that complexity – surface the humanness and bring our values and insights to technology.