In this Planet Beyond episode hosted by Jon Baston-Pitt, experts Irina Mirkina from UNICEF, Marek Kowalkiewicz from QUT Business School, and Pawel Michalak from Fugro discuss the future of AI and its wide-ranging impact on society. Beyond just language models, like ChatGPT, they highlight its role in disaster management, climate modelling, and decision-making processes.

In the last shortcast we heard about the environmental impact of building and running large AI models, however this episode explores how it will, in the near future, impact on our physical world. Irina Mirkina brings attention to global challenges like climate change and digital inequality, emphasising UNICEF’s efforts to equip future generations with responsible AI skills.

Marek Kowalkiewicz points out its long history of integration into everyday life and its current evolution towards generative AI. Pawel Michalak shares practical examples of AI in action, demonstrating its use in autonomous data processing for subsurface mapping and sustainable infrastructure projects. 

They also explore AI’s potential in predictive analytics for disaster preparedness and improving water access in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa. The discussion also touches on ethical concerns such as data privacy, transparency, and the responsible deployment of AI. While the guests all view the worst, most dystopian outcomes of AI as exceedingly unlikely, they do stress the importance of balanced progress that benefits society while managing potential risks.

Host 

Jon Baston-Pitt

Guests

Irina Mirkina, AI Lead, UNICEF

Marek Kowalkiewicz, Professor at QUT Business School

Pawel Michalak, Global Director of Innovation, Fugro