Why everyone should join the AI conversation
Written by: Roberta Vommaro
Oh, the big topic of discussion: AI. But why is it that the conversation about Artificial Intelligence seems to be dominated by the Harvard graduates, tech geeks, executives and investors? Being what they call “our future,” shouldn’t we all talk about it? Give our input? How does a busy mom with a part-time job feel about AI? Or the small business owner who is passionate about connecting to people in their neighbourhood? Or the creative artist, school teacher, psychotherapist?
The truth is that there is a lot of mystery surrounding AI - and a whole lot of fear.
I’m not one to shy away from new technology. I remember I was one of the first kids in my neighbourhood to start chatting on MSN. The very first to write an essay in high-school about music sharing softwares (anyone here remembers Napster?). The teacher didn’t get it, BTW, and I was asked to change the subject of my assignment.
I was also one of the very first women in my community to openly discuss Bitcoin investing - I offered regular Instagram lives about it and if we’ve been connected for more than 5 years, I’m sure you’ve heard me talk (sometimes passionately) about it.
But still, a lot of us put ourselves out of the equation when it comes to something new, driven by a belief that if “I don’t think about it, it won’t affect me”. The wellness and mindfulness communities are notorious for doing this. Listen, sometimes it’s true that it's best not to give energy to something you don’t want to manifest or have around you, but other times, this can be an excuse to avoid dealing with a subject that forces us to confront uncomfortable aspects of ourselves. AI brings about our fears. Fears connected to our existence: our fear of losing our jobs, our roles, our livelihood, our worth. Ultimately, our fear of becoming irrelevant, or having someone (or something) taking our creative power away.
Here’s the thing though: these are precisely the aspects that need to be discussed, and each and every one of us need to participate. No more leaving it for others to decide, so all we do is comply. I don’t know about you, but I feel we’ve done enough of it. We need to ask questions, say our piece. To create peace. Voice our opinions while remaining open to hearing different perspectives. This is why, being one of the first users of ChatGPT, I provided feedback to OpenAI when it was in beta testing mode. I’m not a tech person. I have an interest in technology, but I’m not deeply versed in it. I’m not a middle-aged Silicon Valley executive. Or a man in finance, trust fund, 6ft 5”, blue eyes. But I felt my feedback was needed nonetheless. And more importantly I wanted to learn more about AI. Why? Because I’m interested in the positive polarity of it. I do think it can be used to our benefit.
So, how I use it.
It’s still early days. AI can (and quite often it does) give wrong answers. I don’t rely on it so much for guidance, other than perhaps having replaced my Google Search for Perplexity searches (still getting used to it though). But on a day when I’m not feeling particularly inspired, I ask questions. AI gives me answers that I may or may not agree with. I contemplate them and if something moves me (whether it’s because I like the answer or because I don’t agree to it), I create something from it.
As a Manifesting Generator in Human Design I use AI to test the actions that I initiate before I get the confirmation/ response that I really want to do it. I use it as my playfield, testing the waters for a project, a new idea, a new business venture. Regardless of your Human Design type (or Myers Briggs personality, Astrology sign and so forth), you can make AI applicable to you. Using more examples of Human Design, if you’re a Generator, you can ask AI questions that will inspire you to get an A-ha response. As a Manifestor, you can tell it what to do - boss it around to your heart's content! As a Reflector, you can experiment with different hypotheses. As a Projector, you can voice your thoughts and have it work as a sounding board back to you.
My point is, we can all use it - our own way.
Making the conversation about Artificial Intelligence and AI ethics more inclusive (I used Human Design as an example of how far we can go with it), requires understanding the barriers that prevent many from participating. As I mentioned, fear is a significant factor. Fear of the unknown, fear of irrelevance, fear of making mistakes, fear of not understanding the complex jargon often associated with AI. But here’s the thing - you don’t need to be a tech guru to have valuable insights or initiate the conversation.
When I first started talking about Bitcoin investing, this was a new, intimidating topic for many - particularly women. But I broke it down into simpler terms, shared my journey, and made it relatable. The same approach can be applied to AI. We need to demystify it, make it accessible, and encourage everyone to share, contribute. I believe this is the only way we will make AI serve us instead of having Silicon Valley, Harvard graduates, middle-aged billionaires making all the decisions for us. We need to go from a passive approach, to a proactive approach.
Ultimately, I do believe that AI is a tool that can be tailored to fit our unique needs and styles, through using it in a way that aligns with our personal and professional goals. AI cannot replace the input of an expert in business strategy, leadership development or investment opportunities, but Artificial Intelligence can assist with time consuming activities such as automation, predictive analytics and the implementation of marketing and business strategies that have been previously decided.
If more people from diverse backgrounds joined the AI conversation, we would have a richer, more nuanced understanding of its possibilities and challenges. We could address the fears and misconceptions, making AI a more inclusive field. This diversity of thought would lead to more robust and equitable solutions, benefiting society as a whole.
So, let’s break down the barriers and make AI a conversation that includes everyone, sharing our insights, asking questions, and learning from each other. In doing so, we can shape a future where AI serves the collective good, driven by diverse voices and perspectives.
Watch my TEDx talk