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What the Winners Have to Say
The 2023 Reporting on A.I. Hall of Fame
May 16, 2024
Workstream
Topic
- Artificial Intelligence
- Coverage & Reporting
- Education
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EmailGood writing is impactful – especially when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI).
AI technologies are increasingly incorporated into people’s everyday lives and have become the center of important policy conversations. People rely on reporting on AI to inform decisions about the products they buy, the policies they support, and the organizations they trust. It isn’t easy, however, to grasp the reality of how AI is used today when faced with overzealous enthusiasm about possible future capabilities. That’s why Aspen Digital launched the 2023 Reporting on AI Hall of Fame, highlighting some of the best in writing about AI from last year.
Why is this so important? Well let’s hear what some of the winning authors and publishers had to say.
Several highlighted the importance of reporting that is accessible to the public so that they feel equipped to engage in important conversations about AI use in their communities:
“Accurate and accessible descriptions of automated systems are critical to demystifying these systems’ functionalities and failures. These kinds of descriptions can help ground conversations about how automated systems work and fail in the real world. Accessible descriptions expand the universe of people who can contribute to and challenge these systems, instead of relying on hype and promises from a small handful of technical experts.”
— Marissa Gerchick, ACLU
“I’m no AI expert but asking questions and trying to understand it in plain language is the only way we can make good decisions as it increasingly becomes part of our lives.”
— Angela Spivey, Duke University School of Medicine
Others noted the need for writing that emphasizes the people who create and deploy AI systems:
“Artificial intelligence is not simply defined by technological innovation. At the core of artificial intelligence is the people – those who design, develop, and deploy various applications across all facets of society. It is both timely and imperative that we have accurate and accessible public conversations about this rapidly developing technology. The prominence of AI and rising investments in the United States call for continued dialogue, research, and discussion of responsible deployment of the technology both within the country and globally.”
— Julie George, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists
“AI systems are simply tools. Their promise and their peril lie in how they are used. The responsibility of clear-eyed journalists and researchers is to provide their own tools that help people integrate AI into society responsibly and equitably.”
— Aaron Sankin, The Markup
Finally, many noted the importance of fact-based writing, especially at a time when AI is surrounded by hype and optimism on the one hand and doom and nihilism on the other:
“Amidst relentless hype around synthetic media and generative AI, it’s critical to have discussions around AI harms and realities that help people understand actual realities. It’s critical to have AI commentary that downplays hyperbole and centers globally-relevant and community-led approaches on solutions.”
— Sam Gregory, WITNESS
“The rise of AI is leading to anxiety about job displacement around the world. In an uncertain economy, people are eager to know if they should learn new skills or make career changes in the face of new technologies. It’s crucial to keep the public fully informed about AI’s power and limitations.”
— Viola Zhou, Rest of World
These quotes illustrate why we launched the Reporting on AI Hall of Fame.
We join these authors and publishers in challenging everyone communicating about AI to use accessible language, center human actors behind AI tools, and emphasize today’s realities instead of industry hype so that everyone can talk better about AI.
B Cavello
Director, Emerging Technologies
B is a technology and facilitation expert who is passionate about creating social change by empowering everyone to participate in technological and social governance. B is the Director of Emerging Technologies at the Aspen Institute.
Eleanor Tursman
Researcher, Emerging Technologies
Eleanor Tursman is an Emerging Technologies Researcher at The Aspen Institute, where they work at the intersection of novel technologies, public education, and public policy. They are also joining the Siegel Family Endowment as a Research Fellow for 2022-24.
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