AI for All: My Journey with Technology for a Better World

AI and Sustainable Development Goals Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool that can help us address some of the most pressing challenges of our time, such as climate change, poverty, and health. However, AI also poses potential risks and ethical dilemmas that require careful consideration and regulation. In this article, I will share my personal journey with AI and how I use it to contribute to the global good.

I am Dr. (Capt.) Karandeep Singh, a United Nations ambassador representing India at the SDG2030 mission, a PhD holder, and the Director of Indus International School, Bangalore. I have over two decades of experience in education and innovation across the globe, and I have witnessed the transformative potential of AI in various domains. I have also engaged in a profound exploration of how AI can be a formidable ally in our journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).AI and Sustainable Development Goals

The SDGs are a set of 17 goals and 169 targets that aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030¹. AI can play a vital role in enabling the accomplishment of these goals, as it can provide insights, solutions, and opportunities for various sectors and stakeholders. A study in Nature Communications revealed that AI could enable the accomplishment of 134 targets across all the SDGs but might also inhibit 59 targets². This dichotomy highlights AI’s power and the need for careful oversight.

In my role as a UN ambassador, I have been involved in several initiatives that leverage AI for the global good. For example, I have collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop an AI-based platform that can monitor and predict the spread of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, and provide timely and accurate information to the public and policymakers. I have also partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to create an AI-powered learning platform that can provide personalized and adaptive education to millions of learners, especially those in remote and underprivileged areas.

My journey in this field has reinforced my in the power of technology to bring positive change. However, this journey also comes with the responsibility to ensure that AI is developed and used with a deep sense of ethics, inclusivity, and sustainability. I believe that AI should be aligned with human values and respect human dignity, rights, and freedoms. I also believe that AI should be accessible and beneficial to all, regardless of their background, location, or status. I advocate for these principles through various platforms, such as the AI for Good Global Summit, the AI Ethics Forum, and the AI for All initiative.

AI for All is a self-learning online program designed to raise public awareness about AI. It aims to demystify AI for people from all walks of life – a student, a stay at home parent, a professional in any field, a senior citizen – basically, anyone interested in getting acquainted with it and wanting to build a basic understanding of AI. The program covers topics such as the history, applications, benefits, and challenges of AI, as well as the ethical and social implications of AI. The program also provides opportunities for learners to interact with AI experts and practitioners, and to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios and projects.

I am proud to be a part of this initiative, as I believe that education and awareness are the key to empowering people to harness the potential of AI and to shape its future. I hope that through this program, more people will be inspired and motivated to learn about AI, to use it for good, and to contribute to the global goals.

AI is a remarkable technology that can transform our world for the better. However, it also requires careful and responsible management and governance. I invite you to join me in this journey of embracing AI for a sustainable future and a better world.