The Role of Data in Advancing AI

Good morning, fellow AI enthusiasts! In this week's episode of the What's AI podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jerome Pasquero , a distinguished Machine Learning Director at Sama , whose expertise in AI, particularly in the realm of data, is both insightful and timely. We discussed some fascinating facets of AI's relationship with data, and I'm excited to share these with you.

1?? The Role of Data in Advancing AI: Insights from Expert Jerome Pasquero

Before you decide to dive in or skip this week's episode, here are some key insights from our conversation include:

• Data as AI's Foundation: Jerome highlighted how AI systems are only as good as the data they're fed. He stressed the importance of clean, well-structured data, which serves as the foundation for robust AI models. This focus on high-quality data helps in building AI systems that are effective and reliable.
• The Human Element in Data Processing: We explored the significant yet often unseen role of human judgment in data annotation. Jerome illustrated how human input is vital for context, especially in complex scenarios where AI might struggle. This human-AI collaboration is crucial for developing more sophisticated and nuanced AI systems.
• Ethics in AI: A standout point of our talk was about the ethical challenges in AI. Jerome provided his perspectives on maintaining ethical standards while pushing the boundaries of AI innovation. He emphasized the importance of creating AI that benefits society while respecting privacy and fairness.
• AI’s Everyday Influence: We also touched on the often subtle yet significant presence of AI in our daily routines. Jerome shared examples ranging from personalized online experiences to advancements in healthcare, underlining how AI is quietly revolutionizing various aspects of our lives.

This episode is a must for anyone curious about the ways in which data fuels AI, as well as those interested in the ethical dimensions and everyday applications of AI. Jerome's expertise makes complex topics approachable. Come learn more about data and data annotation with us in this cool discussion!

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2?? AI Ethics with Auxane

The Misuse of Psych chTerms in the Tech Discourse – Addiction

Hi, Fellow AI Enthusiasts,

In today's newsletter, we want to dive into “addiction" and explore the term's true meaning. It has become commonplace to label excessive or problematic technology use as an addiction, but let's take a closer look.

To truly understand addiction, let's explore its clinical definition and the complexities surrounding addiction-related issues. Addiction is a psychiatric condition characterised by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences. It can involve both substance use and behavioural patterns. The specific definition of addiction may vary slightly between the International Classification of Diseases (ICD, from the World Health Organisation) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, from the American Psychology Association).

In the realm of substance-related addiction, the ICD-11 recognises addiction as a disorder due to addictive behaviours. It acknowledges that addiction can involve both substance use and non-substance-related behaviours. The DSM-5 uses the term "substance use disorder" to refer to addiction-related explicitly to substances. It provides criteria for diagnosing substance use disorders based on specific symptoms.

Now, let's focus on addiction without substances, which is more relevant to the technology discourse. The topic of video game addiction, for example, has sparked big debates! While the ICD-11 includes "gaming disorder" as a recognised condition, the DSM-5 has not officially recognised it as a distinct disorder yet. However, it mentions the need for more research to define it clearly. The agreed-upon criteria to characterise these behavioural addictions include loss of control over the behaviour, the elevated and unreasonable priority placed on the activity, and persistent engagement despite adverse consequences and without being explained better by another condition such as general anxiety disorder or depression. Also, how long this behaviour lasts and how often it occurs must be quantified and agreed upon to clearly define the diagnosis criteria. Indeed, a debate is still on in the scientific community to know if using video games as a coping mechanism and addiction to video games are not mistaken for one another or if the fact that it happens in a given timeframe, also called episodically, shouldn't be considered as a counter-argument for addiction diagnosis. To frame those questions in other contexts, it is not because sometimes you go on a party rage for a week that you are an alcoholic, or it is not because you smoke cigarettes at parties less than once a week that you are addicted to nicotine.?

In conclusion, when discussing technology and its impact on our lives, we must be cautious with the term "addiction." It's essential to differentiate between clinical diagnoses and cultural perceptions and use language that accurately reflects the behaviours we discuss. By using terms like "misuse" and "overuse," we can have more balanced and comprehensive discussions about technology's effects.

In the coming weeks, we will continue exploring other psychological and psychiatric terms in our discussions about technology. By approaching these conversations with care and understanding, we can gain a clearer perspective on how technology affects us and have more meaningful discussions.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or thoughts. We value your input!?

Until next time,

Auxane Boch (TUM IEAI research associate, freelancer)

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