Experts Call for Humane AI at Fortune Brainstorm AI Singapore 2025
At the Fortune Brainstorm AI Singapore conference held on July 23, 2025, experts Anthea Roberts, founder of Dragonfly Thinking, and Russell Wald, executive director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, emphasized the need for a more humane and interdisciplinary approach to AI development.
Since the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, Big Tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Alibaba, alongside startups like Anthropic and Mistral, have driven AI innovation primarily for profit.
However, Roberts and Wald argued for prioritizing AI that “thinks better” over merely being faster or cheaper, highlighting its potential as a “civilization-changing technology.”
Roberts stressed that AI models often adopt a limited, centrist perspective, similar to how humans can be constrained by their national or disciplinary viewpoints.
She advocated for human-AI collaboration to enable policymakers to address issues from diverse angles, enhancing decision-making.
Wald underscored the importance of a multi-stakeholder ecosystem involving academia, civil society, government, and industry.
He noted academia’s role in fostering frontier technology, training future AI leaders, and promoting transparency through published research.
A significant concern raised was AI’s tendency to “hallucinate” or produce erratic outputs, which fuels skepticism among users.
Roberts identified two user groups: those who uncritically adopt AI, including industry players and students, and those who avoid it due to concerns about bias, transparency, or authenticity.
She urged broader participation beyond “Silicon Valley tech bros” to shape AI’s development responsibly. Wald humorously remarked that AI should reflect humanity’s best qualities, not the “crazy uncle at the Thanksgiving table,” emphasizing the need to align AI with altruistic human values.
This push for humane AI is significant as it challenges the profit-driven status quo, advocating for systems that prioritize societal benefits, ethical considerations, and inclusivity.
For businesses, adopting this approach could enhance trust and reliability in AI applications, potentially improving customer engagement and regulatory compliance.
For users, it promises AI tools that are more transparent and less prone to errors, fostering greater adoption across sectors like healthcare, education, and policy-making.
The experts’ call for collaboration could reshape AI’s trajectory, ensuring it serves humanity’s higher aspirations rather than just commercial interests.
FAQ
What is humane AI?
Humane AI focuses on developing artificial intelligence that prioritizes ethical considerations, transparency, and societal benefits, ensuring it aligns with human values and diverse perspectives rather than purely commercial goals.
Why is interdisciplinary collaboration important for AI development?
Interdisciplinary collaboration in AI brings together academia, industry, government, and civil society to address diverse perspectives, reduce biases, and create more reliable and inclusive AI systems that benefit society as a whole.
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