Juan Lavista Ferres, Microsoft’s corporate vice president, chief data scientist, and director of the AI for Good Lab, demonstrates the practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) through real-world examples of solving societal problems. Microsoft researchers and data scientists have used machine learning to aid marine biologists in analyzing underwater recordings of beluga whales, inspiring other groups to explore the potential of AI in different contexts such as detecting weapons banned by the Geneva Conventions in recordings from the Syrian war.
The new book, “AI for Good, Applications, in Sustainability, Humanitarian Action and Health,” set to be published on April 9, showcases a series of deep dives into the lab’s projects conducted with external researchers, non-governmental organizations, and other experts. By highlighting case studies, the book illustrates how AI can be leveraged to bring about positive change in the world while also recognizing the risks and limitations associated with its usage. Working with subject-matter experts is emphasized as crucial for developing a deeper understanding of the problems being tackled.
Juan Lavista Ferres discusses the potential of AI to bring about positive change in the world and emphasizes the importance of deploying AI solutions in practical, production settings to maximize their impact. The lab has collaborated with organizations like the Carter Center to assess conflicts in near real-time using natural language processing, enabling experts to focus on higher-level tasks. Data quality is crucial in AI projects to avoid introducing biases, and the open data movement is contributing to the availability of datasets for AI applications in different fields.
The future of AI for good projects is expected to involve the development of tools that make it easier for individuals without coding skills to leverage AI technology for problem-solving purposes. As the adoption of AI continues to increase, society has a responsibility to ensure that the technology is used for good while minimizing its potential misuse. Collaboration across different sectors is essential to ensure that AI is harnessed for positive outcomes and not weaponized.
The book “AI for Good: Applications, in Sustainability, Humanitarian Action and Health,” authored by Juan M. Lavista Ferres, William B. Weeks, and researchers from Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, aims to provide insights into the practical applications of AI for societal benefit. Through the publication of this book, the lab intends to inspire scientists and researchers to explore new ways of leveraging AI to address pressing challenges and enhance the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide. Audio production of the book is managed by Curt Milton, and interested readers can subscribe to the GeekWire Podcast for further discussions on the topic.
