Welcome to the Leading with Data session presented by Dr Anand Rao, an experienced leader who unites ancient wisdom with modern ai. With three decades of experience across continents and sectors, Dr. Rao integrates Advaita philosophy into his leadership, fostering diverse perspectives for positive change. From pioneering ai applications in aerospace to shaping national ai strategies, his journey epitomizes ai innovation and ethical stewardship. Dr. Rao shares insights on how to navigate the ups and downs of ai, distinguish hype from reality, and encourage responsible ai practices, providing invaluable guidance for emerging ai enthusiasts and seasoned professionals alike.
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Key insights from our conversation with Dr. Anand Rao
- The evolution of ai has been a rollercoaster, with periods of hype followed by realism. It is crucial to balance optimism with caution.
- The future of ai is not just about more data and computing power; it is about understanding and integrating complex aspects of human intelligence.
- Ethics in ai is not an obstacle, but a necessary consideration to ensure that the technology benefits society in a responsible manner.
- The convergence of traditional ai with generative ai is leading to new reasoning, planning and optimization capabilities.
- Young ai professionals should focus on continuous learning and develop skills of creativity, curiosity, communication and collaboration.
- Trust management is key in ai implementation, ensuring that users trust the ai and that the ai is guided on which human decisions to trust.
- Decision logs are crucial for organizations to track and measure the effectiveness of ai versus human decision making for better ROI analysis.
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Now, let's look at the details of our conversation with Dr. Anand Rao!
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-your-journey-in-ai-begin”>How did your journey in ai begin?
My journey towards ai started in the early years of computing in India. I was interested in studying computer science and was lucky enough to study at BITS Pilani, one of the only two colleges that taught computer science at that time. My interest in research arose while working on projects like displaying Indian languages on screens, which was quite a challenge in 1986-87. This led me to pursue higher education in Australia, where I obtained a scholarship to the University of Sydney. My time there and my subsequent work in Melbourne were instrumental in shaping my career in ai.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-has-been-your-experience-with-the-ups-and-downs-of-ai-over-the-years”>What has been your experience with the ups and downs of ai over the years?
I've been on a roller coaster ride with ai, witnessing its springs and winters. I started during a boom when fifth-generation computing in Japan was all the rage. My work was a combination of theoretical ai and practical applications, working on projects for NASA and DARPA. However, as the popularity of ai declined, I turned toward the business world, earned an MBA, and entered the consulting field. When ai re-emerged with the advent of deep learning, I was able to apply my knowledge to help companies with big data, analytics and automation. The key lesson here is to balance hype with reality and approach ai with cautious optimism.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-you-distinguish-between-hype-and-reality-in-ai“>How do you distinguish between hype and reality in ai?
To distinguish between hype and reality in ai, I analyze the underlying principles behind the phenomena. For example, the belief that simply increasing computing power and data will lead to artificial general intelligence overlooks the complexity of human intelligence. We need to consider theories and research from the past and not focus solely on data and computing power. It is important to be cautious and not assume that advances in ai will automatically equate to human-level intelligence.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-your-thoughts-on-the-intersection-of-ai-and-ethics”>What do you think about the intersection of ai and ethics?
Ethics in ai is crucial. We must consider not only what we can do with ai but also its impact on society. It is essential to be aware of the ethical implications and integrate responsible ai practices into our work. This means being aware of the risks and potential negative consequences and taking a measured approach to ai development and deployment.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-you-share-insights-on-your-involvement-with-golden-sparrow-and-the-types-of-ai-companies-you-re-interested-in”>Can you share information about your involvement with Golden Sparrow and the types of ai companies you are interested in?
As a venture partner at Golden Sparrow, I'm interested in early-stage ai companies, particularly those that combine traditional ai with generative ai and push the boundaries. We are also looking at infrastructure companies that provide building blocks for larger companies. Our investments range from horizontal to specific vertical solutions, including space and hardware technologies.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-trends-in-ai-are-you-excited-about-and-which-ones-are-you-cautious-about”>Which trends in ai are you excited about and which are you cautious about?
I'm excited about the trend of large language models evolving into smaller, more efficient versions that can operate on edge devices. This opens possibilities for ai-based agents that can reason and process information at the edge. I am also interested in the convergence of traditional ai with generative ai, leading to advances in reasoning, planning and optimization. However, I am cautious about overemphasizing data and computing power as the sole drivers of intelligence. We need to consider other mechanisms that contribute to intelligence.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-advice-would-you-give-to-a-young-person-starting-their-career-in-ai“>What advice would you give to a young person starting their career in ai?
For young people new to ai, I recommend focusing on continuous learning and developing the “4 Cs”: creativity, curiosity, communication and collaboration. These skills are essential for navigating the complex and ever-evolving field of ai. It is important to remain curious, be creative in problem-solving, effectively communicate your ideas, and collaborate with others to make a meaningful impact.
summarizing
Dr. Anand Rao's story highlights the power of combining ancient wisdom with modern technology for ethical leadership in ai. His experiences teach resilience, balance and responsible development of ai. As ai evolves, let us accept its call to creativity, curiosity, communication and collaboration. These are the foundations for an ethical, innovative and inclusive ai future. Thank you, Dr. Rao, for guiding us on this transformative journey.
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