1. TechCrunch is publishing interviews with AI-focused women academics to give them recognition in the field.
2. Sarah Myers West is the managing director at the AI Now institute, focusing on the social implications and policy research of AI.
3. The pressing issues facing AI’s evolution include the need for more testing and validation of AI technologies, as well as the responsibility of institutions to justify their actions involving AI.
TechCrunch is shining a spotlight on women academics and professionals who have made significant contributions to the AI revolution, featuring interviews with these remarkable individuals throughout the year. The goal is to highlight key work that often goes unrecognized in the rapidly growing field of AI. One of the featured women is Sarah Myers West, who is the managing director at the AI Now institute, focusing on the social implications of AI and policy research concerning power concentration in the tech industry.
West’s interest in AI grew from her research on tech companies as powerful political actors and their impact on international governance. She emphasizes the importance of examining the institutions producing AI to ensure that societal needs, not just those of tech companies, are served. West is proud of her work at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, where she engaged in investigative work and regulatory enforcement of AI-related cases, combating anti-competitive behavior by big tech companies.
One of the pressing issues facing AI is the widespread use of inadequately tested and validated technologies in sensitive contexts, disproportionately harming marginalized communities. West emphasizes the need for a higher standard, as well as the issue of powerful institutions using AI to justify actions, regardless of its effectiveness. She believes that responsible AI development requires starting with the question of necessity, ensuring compliance with the law, validation of systems, and transparency for independent researchers to assess. Ultimately, the end use of AI technology is crucial in determining whether it should be built at all.