Can we work in tandem with AI to craft a future world in which we’ll want to live?

Futurist, AI ethicist. anthropologist and educator Dr. Lollie Mancey says we can–and must.

The infusion of artificial intelligence, into all sectors, is inevitable, she continues.

“We can’t just shut our eyes to it and say, ‘it’s not going to happen. It’s already happened,” she says.

“And actually there are some amazing, incredible benefits, as well as some not-so-good things, coming.”

A proactive approach

As Programme Director at University College Dublin’s Innovation Academy, Dr. Mancey’s expertise is based on her experience in multiple areas.

In addition to her background in anthropology, she is an entrepreneur who has. so far, founded and directed three businesses. She is a broadcaster, whose most recent work included co-hosting RTE’s “Futureville Ireland” and her radio show on Dublin South FM. Dr. Mancey also hosts a podcast, “An Entrepreneur Like You”, on Spotify.

An award-winning storyteller and keynote speaker, Dr. Mancey likes to challenge her listeners to explore new ideas–and specifically, to imagine the ways they can have “a place at the table” as artificial intelligence evolves into all aspects and industries of the future. Her research and exploration of the challenges of AI focuses on the ethics of its use, for a human-centered approach to a rapidly-changing world.

Dr. Mancey talked about her background, some of her research in AI and the directions she recommends everyone take, to stay proactive and collaborative with artificial intelligence in education and the future workplace.

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• The learning journey that led to her current career;

• Some of the current factors that could have a negative effect as AI permeates all sectors;

• Ways to prepare for the future workplace, to give everyone a voice amid the spread of AI;

• Some of the benefits of AI for the educational sector and future workplace;

• One of her favorite experience, learning from her students, in a collaborative, as opposed to traditional, “lecture” approach to learning;

• How arts-oriented people can stay “the human in the loop”;

• How educators could reach students who may not currently have access to technology;

• Some of Dr. Mancey’s favorite current resources;

• Some of the “fun tricks” she uses, in her own interactions with AI;

• One of her more surprising interactions, during her research, with her “AI companion”;

• An intriguing fact about the way we start our days and how those first actions of the day can affect our creativity!;

• How to get past “imposter syndrome” with AI;

• Where “robot rights” might come in, in the future.