In June 2024 Queen Mary hosted a landmark discussion on AI policy, launching the Policy Forum of the Harvard Data Science Review's special issue, "Future Shock: Grappling with the Generative AI Revolution." The discussion was led by Prof David Leslie (DERI and The Alan Turing Institute), it featured a range of thought-provoking insights on the ethical and policy challenges posed by the rise of GenAI. Prof David Leslie and researchers from The Alan Turing Institute's Ethics and Responsible Innovation team also unveiled a new interactive platform and workbooks. This initiative aims to empower the public sector to develop and implement responsible AI practices. The platform can be found here.
Highlights of the discussion:
Thank you to our panel for taking part, highlights included:
The event concluded with a call for a global response to GenAI. Answering questions from the audience, panelists stressed the need for international cooperation, investment in AI safety research, and regulations that prioritise public good. David Leslie highlighted the "problem of dual use" – the potential weaponisation of GenAI – as an area demanding immediate attention.
Queen Mary's forum served as a springboard for further dialogue and action. As GenAI continues to evolve, a global conversation around responsible development and deployment is more critical than ever.
A full recording of the event can be found here.