Exploring AI's Evolution and Future: Insights from the CTO of Cognizant and Siri's Co-Founder Babak Hodjat.
In an exclusive conversation, Philippe Séjalon, CEO of the INGAGE Institute had the opportunity to speak with Babak Hodjat, the Chief Technology Officer of Cognizant and the original inventor of Siri’s natural language technology. Hoja offers unique insights into the evolution and future of artificial intelligence, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
When asked about his role in creating Siri, Babak Hodjat clarified, «I was technically the founder of a precursor to Siri, a company called Dejima.» As Siri has evolved from a simple voice assistant to a sophisticated AI system, the transformation has taken many by surprise, including Babak himself. “Even those who were involved in building it did not expect this level of emergent intelligent behavior,” he noted. The phenomenal capabilities of models like GPT-4 and others stem from their ability to learn and understand languages without explicit programming.
Understanding ‘Intelligence’
Babak emphasized that today’s AI represents only certain aspects of human intelligence, missing out on crucial features like online learning. Unlike humans, who adapt continuously through experiences, AI models undergo fixed training processes that do not change over time. Nonetheless, these systems can exhibit elements of creativity and reasoning that mirror human capabilities.
Rethinking Education
As Babak explored the implications of AI, he stressed the urgent need for revised educational frameworks. «We are currently neglecting the educational side,” he pointed out, drawing parallels to the rise of social media over a decade ago. The swift advancement and adoption of AI technologies necessitate a more robust focus on educating people about how to navigate and utilize these systems responsibly.
The Future of Work
The rapid evolution of AI raises significant questions about job displacement in various sectors. Babak suggested that AI could serve as a powerful aid in industries like insurance, automating decision-making processes while requiring humans to define key performance indicators. He argued that rather than viewing AI as a replacement, we should see it as a tool to augment human capability.
Societal Implications and the Need for Guidelines
Babak is optimistic about the potential of AI to enhance productivity and improve the quality of our lives. However, he cautions that society must grapple with ethical implications and create frameworks to govern the interaction between humans and AI systems. “Our best weapon is education and the responsible use of AI,” he stated.
Environmental Considerations
Despite the many advantages of generative AI, Babak highlighted concerns regarding energy consumption. The resource demands for training and running large models require careful consideration, particularly as data centers face increasing pressure on energy resources. He noted, however, that the trend toward smaller, more efficient AI models presents a promising direction.
The Role of Quantum Computing
Looking forward, the conversation shifted to the potential of quantum computing to revolutionize AI. Although we are not yet at a point where scaled quantum computers can be effectively deployed, Babak acknowledged the theoretical promise they hold in enabling faster learning and decision-making processes.
A Call for Diversity in AI Research
Babak ultimately concluded with a passionate plea for broader diversity in AI research. He cautioned against the myopic focus on current deep learning techniques, advocating for exploration into alternative approaches. “If we don’t diversify our thinking,” he warned, “we will end up stagnating in the AI world.”
As we continue to advance toward a future where AI plays an increasingly vital role in everyday life, these insights from Babak Hodjat guide us in understanding the intricacies of this technology and its potential impact on society. The call for responsible development, education, and diversity in approaches remains paramount in ensuring a beneficial integration of AI within our world.
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