About this video

• Video Title: Empowering Paths Episode 2: AI and Technology for Good with Mo Gawdat & Fatima Al Kaabi
• Channel: Mashreq NEO
• Speakers: Mo Gawdat, Fatima Al Kaabi
• Duration: 00:40:45

Overview

This episode of "Empowering Paths" features Mo Gawdat and Fatima Al Kaabi discussing the ethical implications and positive potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology. Mo Gawdat shares his personal journey from a high-level tech executive to an advocate for AI ethics, emphasizing the need for human values in AI development. Fatima Al Kaabi, a young inventor, highlights her experiences using AI for creative and educational purposes, encouraging curiosity and ethical engagement with technology. The conversation explores how AI can be a force for good, enhance human connection, and shape a better future.

Key takeaways

• The Dual Nature of AI: AI is a powerful tool that can be used for immense good or significant harm, depending on the morality and intent of its human users.
• Personal Transformation and Purpose: Mo Gawdat's shift in perspective, influenced by personal tragedy, led him to focus on happiness and the ethical implications of technology, rather than just technological advancement.
• The Power of Curiosity: Fatima Al Kaabi emphasizes curiosity as a superpower and a driving force for learning and invention, advocating for its encouragement in the younger generation.
• Ethical AI Development and Usage: Both speakers stress the importance of ethical considerations in AI, including investing in AI that benefits humanity, not harming it, and being transparent about AI-generated content.
• The Rise of Augmented Intelligence: AI is enhancing human capabilities, creating an era of "augmented intelligence" where human intellect is amplified by AI tools, with the potential to solve complex global problems.
• Importance of Human Connection (EQ): In an increasingly digital world, emotional intelligence (EQ) and genuine human connection are becoming more critical than ever.
• Democratization of Creativity and Learning: AI tools are making advanced creative and learning processes accessible to more people, enabling individuals to explore new fields and express themselves in novel ways.
• Embracing Change and Future Technologies: Both guests encourage embracing AI and new technologies with a mindset of "committed acceptance," focusing on how to improve lives and create a better future.

Fatima Al Kaabi mentioned that when she was younger, the scientists and technicians she saw in cartoons like Dexter's Laboratory were all men. This lack of representation made it difficult for her to feel like she belonged in STEM fields, as she couldn't easily find role models who looked like her. This experience is a primary reason why she is passionate about sharing her story and visiting schools and universities to inspire other young people, regardless of their gender or identity, to pursue their interests in technology.

Fatima Al Kaabi spoke about several key aspects of her journey and perspective:

• Early Fascination with Tech: Growing up with parents in the tech industry, she was exposed to technology early on. Her interest in inventing sparked at age 10 during a robotics workshop at a summer camp.
• First Invention: Her first significant invention was a robot with an instant camera designed to take souvenir photos for visitors at a conference. This project, combining robotics and photography, attracted attention and fueled her desire to build more.
• The "Nerd" Stigma and Representation: She discussed how, as she got more involved in STEM, she realized that being a "nerd" or "geek" wasn't considered cool among her peers. The lack of visible female role models in STEM, particularly those she saw in cartoons, made her feel like she didn't quite fit in. This experience motivated her to advocate for greater representation and encourage others who might feel similarly.
• Curiosity as a Superpower: Fatima strongly believes that curiosity is a superpower. She highlighted that it's free and doesn't come with negative connotations, encouraging people to explore any topic they're interested in, even if it's just for personal satisfaction. She uses online resources and AI to satisfy her curiosity about various industries.
• Making Inventions Impactful: Initially, her inventions were personal projects. However, she realized that her creations could help others, leading her to develop more solutions for people's needs. A pivotal moment was when a girl in Kenya expressed a desire to use one of her inventions to attend school remotely, showing her the global impact her work could have.
• The "Teleporter" Project: One of her more advanced projects is a "teleporter," which is essentially a robot that students can connect to and control remotely on their campus. The goal is for it to be open-source, made from recyclable materials, and allow students who cannot physically attend classes (e.g., due to illness or location) to participate in lectures and social activities.
• AI in Culture and Creativity: She uses AI tools to explore and express her culture, creating deepfake videos to test the limits of AI and to educate people about its capabilities and ethical use. She's also working on creating her own AI-generated cartoons and movies, combining her passion for photography and videography with AI.
• Ethical Use of AI and Prompt Engineering: Fatima emphasized the need to find a balance in using AI tools, cautioning against over-reliance. She believes that skills like deep search and "prompt engineering" (learning how to ask the right questions to AI) are crucial for effective and efficient use of these technologies without losing fundamental skills.
• Embracing AI in Any Field: She advocates for integrating AI into any industry, not just tech-focused ones, and believes that younger generations can learn to use AI effectively, even better than experts, as demonstrated by her 12-year-old sister.
• The Future is Now: She shared her excitement about how quickly AI allows for creation, comparing it to having a "magic wand" in the virtual world and predicting that these advancements will soon transform the physical world.

In essence, Fatima's story is about a young innovator who, driven by curiosity and a desire to make a difference, uses technology and AI to push boundaries, promote ethical practices, and inspire future generations, all while embracing her cultural identity.