It’s 2024 and GenAI is going mainstream. It’s a "hot" topic and everyone is excited about this new wave of creativity. But wait, what is its social impact on society? Will it further increase the digital divide, or can it help to create a more equitable and inclusive world?
The United Nations states that eradicating poverty remains today's greatest global challenge. The good news is: technology has put us in a better position to solve some of the problems that we have struggled with in the past. GenAI's data mining capabilities are able to catalyze social change by leveraging data-driven insights, and drive innovation that addresses systemic barriers. For example, in agriculture, farmers are able to enhance productivity; in education and healthcare, access is improved for the low-income; and in disaster response, risk is better mitigated for vulnerable populations.
Ultimately, GenAI is a tool. Moving forward, it is going to be a critical tool. But like any other tool, it can be abused. Whether this tool is used to elevate the middle-income to wealthy, or to uplift the poor to above the poverty line, the tool lies in our hands. Implementing a framework that has solid checks and balances, as well as creating principles for ethics and responsibilities, to guide the usage of GenAI is a start, but it is insufficient for its thoughtful and beneficial application. No matter how powerful a technology is, humans will always be superior, because of our ability to reason, and our morality. After all that's said and done, reason and morality will determine if GenAI is used for Social Good, or otherwise.
Takeaways:
Understanding GenAI, what it is the hype, and what to expect from it
How can we unlock the potential of GenAI for both efficiency and impact
Applying GenAI with ethics and responsibility
Speaker: Pratibha Kurnool, Global Head of Community Impact / Global Lead - Strategic Tech Partnerships for Social Impact, Cognizant
Pratibha leads Cognizant's social impact programme outreach in Asia Pacific. She drives inclusion in tech and community impact by enabling positive social outcomes in STEM education, digital skilling, digital empowerment of the social sector, climate awareness and action and community welfare by channelling the passion and purpose of volunteers. She influences internal and external stakeholders to lean into the social purpose strategy to drive business and reputational outcomes.
Pratibha represents Cognizant at external fora on areas related to ESG, Community engagement, CSR and most recently, Corporate Purpose. In her individual capacity, she is also the Chairperson of Singapore’s National Kidney Foundation’s Volunteer Committee.