Transparency and Accountability in AI: A Panel Discussion
At Signpost AI, we're committed to building responsible and trustworthy AI solutions for the humanitarian sector. A recent podcast hosted by Humanitarian AI Today, in collaboration with the UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub (UKHIH) and Elrha, delved into a critical topic for the field: transparency and accountability in AI implementations.
This insightful panel discussion, sponsored by UKHIH and Elrha and funded by the UK government, is part of a six-part series aimed at bridging the gap between AI technology and humanitarian needs. Featuring Signpost AI's own Product Lead, Liam Nicoll, alongside other renowned experts from the humanitarian and tech sectors, the episode provides actionable insights for building safe, responsible, and trustworthy AI systems.
Key Takeaways from the Panel
Hosted by Brent Phillips, the episode brought together a diverse panel of experts:
Liam Nicoll, Signpost Product Lead at Signpost AI
Michael Hind, Distinguished Research Staff Member at IBM Research
Shadrock Roberts, Director of Global Data Protection & Privacy at Mercy Corps
Scott Turnbull, Chief Technology Officer at Data Friendly Space
Sarah Spencer, Humanitarian consultant and AI advocate
The panel explored the multifaceted nature of transparency in AI, discussing how it applies across the entire AI lifecycle, from design to deployment.
Why Transparency Matters
Transparency is not merely a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of trust in AI systems. By understanding how AI systems function and how decisions are made, stakeholders—including funders, developers, and end users—can ensure ethical and effective AI applications, especially in the critical humanitarian sector.
Key topics discussed in the podcast include:
Technical Disclosure: The importance of understanding algorithms for accountability.
Governance and Regulation: The role of frameworks in ensuring responsible AI use.
Humanitarian Perspectives: How organizations can approach transparency to build trust with displaced populations and frontline workers.
Actionable Strategies for Transparency
The panelists shared actionable strategies to improve transparency and accountability in AI, including:
Sharing information about AI use cases.
Fostering collaboration between technologists and humanitarians.
Adopting inclusive practices to ensure diverse stakeholder voices are heard during AI development.
A Call for Inclusivity
The panelists emphasized the need for greater inclusivity in AI transparency. This involves engaging affected communities, incorporating their perspectives, and sharing lessons learned across the sector to build a collective understanding of responsible AI use.
Stay Informed
To delve deeper into this important conversation, subscribe to the UKHIH and Elrha AI newsletter for updates on this panel series and other thought leadership on humanitarian AI.
We hope you found this panel discussion insightful and inspiring. By promoting transparency and accountability in AI, we can ensure that AI is used for good and benefits all of humanity.
Listen Now: Full Podcast.
To learn more about Signpost AI's work in responsible AI, explore our website.
