HAI Seminar with Russell Wald

AI has captured public attention and become a focal point for policymakers. Concerns about AI have evolved from niche academic discussions to widespread public discourse, influencing legislative actions worldwide. Currently, the focus is mainly on industry-driven AI products, sidelining the broader AI ecosystem and societal impacts. This industry-centric approach marginalizes academia and civil society, potentially skewing AI governance toward industry interests rather than public good. To address this, diverse stakeholder involvement is essential in AI development. Robust academic research is crucial for human-centered AI, driving scientific curiosity, training future AI leaders, and providing policymakers with an objective understanding of AI. This seminar will discuss how governments must boost investment in public sector AI research and propose policies to balance industry dominance with significant academic contributions.