What AI Really Means for Our Lives

🎧 Listen to this episode of Chatting with Betsy as Betsy Wurzel speaks with author David Eliot about What AI Really Means for Our Lives.  ✨Click here to listen…

What AI Really Means for Our Lives is the focus of this enlightening conversation as Betsy Wurzel welcomes author and researcher David Eliot, author of Artificially Intelligent: The Very Human Story of AI. David explains that he wrote this book to help people better understand what artificial intelligence truly is and how it is already impacting our daily lives in ways many may not even realize.

In this thoughtful discussion, David Eliot explains how artificial intelligence is being used in science, particularly in early cancer detection. AI systems can analyze large amounts of medical data quickly and accurately, helping doctors identify patterns that might otherwise be missed. David describes AI as a deep-learning system—software designed to roughly mimic how the human brain processes information.

The conversation also explores what AI really means for our lives when it comes to ethical responsibility. While AI can be highly beneficial, David and Betsy discuss how it can also be harmful when used for unethical or nefarious purposes. David references Chapter 22 of his book, “The Apple,” which examines how the U.S. government used early computational technology during World War II to identify and detain individuals who were perceived as threats to peace.

David challenges the assumption that algorithms are objective. In reality, AI systems often reflect the biases of the people who create them. Many AI algorithms have been found to disproportionately impact racial minorities, raising serious social and ethical concerns. He also discusses how the Nazi regime used IBM technology during World War II to locate and round up targeted populations, demonstrating how technology can be misused when paired with unchecked power.

Social issues surrounding what AI really means for our lives are also addressed. Betsy shares a personal experience involving a company that relies heavily on AI, making it difficult for customers to speak with a human representative. She notes how frustrating it can be when an AI system claims it “understands” human emotions, despite not being human. Both agree that when companies use AI, the information provided must be accurate and kept up to date.

In Betsy’s opinion, this book should be read by everyone who wants a clearer understanding of what AI really means for our lives and society as a whole. She enjoyed her conversation with David Eliot and came away feeling hopeful and encouraged about the future of AI when it is used responsibly and ethically.

–––––––––––––––––

About the Author

David Eliot is a PhD candidate at the University of Ottawa, where he researches the social and political effects of artificial intelligence. He is a member of the Critical Surveillance Studies Lab, and his work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2022 Pierre Elliott Trudeau PhD Scholarship. Artificially Intelligent: The Very Human Story of AI is his first published book.

–––––––––––––––––

💡For contact information and further details about David Eliot, please visit:   https://www.davideliot.org/contact

✨Understanding what AI is — and how it is already influencing our lives — is becoming increasingly important for people of all ages. This conversation with David Eliot offers listeners a thoughtful, human-centered perspective on technology that is shaping medicine, society, and everyday interactions.

🎗️If you found this discussion helpful, please consider sharing it with someone who may be curious or concerned about artificial intelligence. Conversations like these help us stay informed, aware, and engaged as technology continues to evolve.

Thank you for listening and for being part of the Chatting with Betsy’s community on Passionate World Talk Radio Network.

🎈Book Information:   The book is available on Amazon.  Purchase here

Contact Information 

❤ Don’t Keep Us a Secret – Please share this blog

Connect with Betsy Wurzel