In the last few years, we have been bombarded with headlines relating to artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging tech — from the Hollywood Strike and the European Union AI Act to ChatGPT. The future of technology is very much at our front door, but it seems harder to know whether we should treat it as a guest or an intruder. As someone who deeply cares about understanding the role of responsible tech in society, I have felt increasingly restless about finding ways to explore this.
Participating in the second annual Ideathon, hosted by the McCourt School’s Tech & Public Policy program in partnership with the Georgetown Technology Policy Initiative, provided an unparalleled opportunity for me to better understand and explore the role of responsible tech in society.
I spent a week in Singapore collaborating with students from Georgetown University and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to solve a real-world tech policy challenge for the Singapore Ministry of Communications and Information.
We were presented with a scenario that involved a malicious algorithm and tasked with understanding how to anticipate and prepare Singapore for associated risks, particularly by considering technological, policy and ethical solutions. In addition to cultural diversity, the cross-institutional team offered a wealth of varied experiences and perspectives.
Within a few days, we created a sense of community, overcoming the challenge at hand and working together across differences. We rolled up our sleeves to ideate and identify an impactful, feasible solution for the problem. As we worked late into the evening, eating noodles over our laptops and scribbling on whiteboards, we were compelled to step outside of our assumptions and lived experiences. It was inspiring to witness my peers, not only demonstrate perseverance but also show a deep sense of commitment to the cause.