Sharing his expertise, Dr. Al Sulaiti focused on the impact of AI on various professions, including medicine, law, education, engineering, design, and accounting. He said: “Artificial intelligence, from my perspective, serves as a powerful tool to augment human abilities, not to replace them. For instance, doctors might employ AI programs to better detect health issues in patients, or teachers might use AI to tailor the learning experience to each student’s unique needs. This shows that AI doesn’t replace employees but enhances their capability to perform their roles more effectively. Current studies and reports reveal that cognitive, repetitive white-collar jobs are more influenced by AI than manual blue-collar roles. As this technology evolves, we see new job roles rising, like AI ethicists, AI system trainers, and AI maintenance specialists – positions that were unheard of just a decade ago. This stands as a testament to AI’s potential to spawn entirely new industries and professions.” For his part, Dr. Ghaly presented a comprehensive exploration of the ethical dimensions of AI. He said: “Ethical discourse on AI is still in its infancy, with most responses to date being brief and specific to certain concerns or questions. However, as we look at the current landscape and anticipate future developments, it’s apparent that AI technologies are adding complexity to these ethical matters. The universally accepted ethical principles such as justice, transparency, and respect for privacy are often broadly and ambiguously defined, leading to little room for disagreement, even among tech giants. A concerning scenario emerges when ‘knowledge production’ transforms into a commercial market dominated by these technology behemoths, which can accumulate significant intellectual property and decide who can access or benefit from the monopolized knowledge. This development poses substantial challenges not just to principles, but to their application in a way that resonates with diverse cultures and religious beliefs. However, there’s hope that public awareness of these risks will grow, potentially putting pressure on these companies to alter their behavior concerning these ethical aspects.” The expert talks led into a wider exchange with attendees in the audience. The interactions further enriched the dialogue with a diverse range of views and concerns around the impact of AI on privacy, freedom, and ethics.

The Cultural Salon was launched with the aim of creating an open public space that promotes dialogue, enriches culture and raises public awareness. In its second edition, the event succeeded in fostering a dynamic, multifaceted exchange of ideas with the potential to help shape understanding of the potential implications of AI applications on Arab and Muslim societies.

Source: Qatar News Agency