A Conversation on Trump’s New Order with AI Researchers Margrit Betke and Azer Bestavros

Earlier last month Futurity.org wrote an article entitled “Can the U.S. Win The A.I. Arms Race.” In the article, a mandate signed by President Trump that aims to support artificial intelligence (AI) research is discussed. The mandate is regarded as an excellent opportunity to explore further potential of AI, which generates both concern and hope on its potential impact.

Margrit Betke, a professor and researcher of computer science at Boston University, is optimistic in this mandate. She said, “What’s more exciting to me are the new opportunities for AI-enabled research in the social sciences and health sciences that can come out of better accessibility of data sets.” Margrit’s focus on health sciences such as developing approaches to provide disabilities with the capacity to take part in the Information Society, not only gives disabilities beneficial convenience but also extends the potential of AI applications.

Azer Bestavros is a professor at Boston University Computer Science Department and the Founding Director of the BU Hariri Institute for Computing, whose research makes contributions in the broad area of networking systems such as communications security on networks. Regarding the new mandate, he presented his outlook in applying AI to services with more widespread receivers. He said, “while I see industry as playing a big role for advancing commercially promising AI applications, I don’t see them investing in advancing AI in ways that are ethical or for applications or capacities that focus on public good.”

Margrit Betke and Azer Bestavros are both parts of Hariri Institute for Computing at Boston University, where it’s mission is to promote discovery and innovations through the use of computational and data-driven approaches. While Azer Bestavros is the Founding Director of this organization, Margrit Betke is one of the leaders of Artificial Intelligence Research (AIR) Initiative, a cross-disciplinary research initiative in Hariri Institute for Computing focusing on machine learning of intelligence. For more information on the Artificial Intelligence Research (AIR) Initiative, visit https://www.bu.edu/hic/centers-initiatives-labs/air/.