Like many of us, I am deeply concerned about some aspects of AI and big data, and unfortunately I do believe that this developing technology will cause us huge difficulty in the coming years.
However, as a member of the global ecosystem, I consider it my, our responsibility to make every effort to steer the use of AI and big data in a positive direction, even if our efforts fail.
I’ve therefore chosen to set aside my concerns about the future and wholeheartedly commit myself to driving positive change, and that’s ultimately why I’m here at Edinburgh.
To elaborate, my hopes for the programme can be divided into four sequential stages:
I want to channel my existing skills into a new field…
My applicable areas of experience are my undergraduate degree in philosophy and my work experience in financial services, which includes exposure to data legislation (including the Data Protection Act 2018 and the seven data principles of GDPR) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) projects. I think each area links to technoethics in its own way, whilst also being fairly diverse and contrasting one another, and I hope the programme’s interdisciplinary setting allows me to draw on skills from each of these areas in new ways.
…I want to gain new skills specific to 21st-century technology…
First and foremost, I expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of the deeply intertwined phenomenons of AI and big data from an ethical, and therefore humanist, perspective, and to explore both their potential for positive change and the possible consequences. I especially look forward to exploring the political implications of big data and the use of algorithms on social media.
I am also eager to gain fundamental programming skills; as technology becomes ever more integral in our lives, the ability to navigate the digital landscape is seemingly becoming a vital part of more and more disciplines. As a coding newbie, I’m grateful for the opportunity to gain this brand new skill.
…I want to create a Futures Project which directly addresses an issue resulting from the use of AI and big data…
I look forward to the prospect of writing a dissertation which analyses practical solutions to one of the challenges AI and big data will inevitably bring us. I haven’t yet decided on a specific topic for my project, but I hope it will make actual recommendations so as to align with my goal of cultivating a sustainable planet.
… and I want to graduate equipped to affect real change
I believe that new and unforeseen job opportunities will emerge in this rapidly evolving field in the coming years. The knowledge I acquire from this programme will not only prepare me for existing roles, e.g. Data Analyst, AI Ethicist, but also equip me to adapt to a technologically focused world and the new jobs which emerge as a result of rapid technological development.
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Ultimately, in academia, in my career, and in life itself, my various aspirations can be summarised within one key goal: to contribute to the preservation of the planet, and to help sculpt it into a more sustainable and hospitable home. I’m sure I share this sentiment with many of my EFI peers, and I can’t wait to collaborate with all of you to achieve that goal.
Curated using ChatGPT 3.5 by OpenAI. For more information visit chat.openai.com.
