To bravely go where no man has gone before.
That's the mission of the USS Enterprise and possibly the goal of the $1 million prize being offered through a foundation created to honor the father of the “Star Trek” franchise.
The Roddenberry Foundation, named after Gene Roddenberry, announced Tuesday that this year's biennial prize would focus on artificial intelligence that benefits humanity.
Lior Ipp, the foundation's chief executive, told The Times that there is growing recognition that AI is becoming more ubiquitous and will impact every aspect of our lives.
“We're trying to…catalyze people to think about what AI looks like if it's used for good,” Ipp said, “and what it means to use AI responsibly, ethically, and to solve some of the thorny issues.” global challenges that exist in the world. .”
The Roddenberry Prize is open to early-stage companies, including nonprofit and for-profit organizations, worldwide.
In each cycle, the focus of the prize changes. The focus is on AI and machine learning as recent advances in the technology have generated both excitement and fear.
Concerns abound that AI threatens privacy, intellectual property and jobs, including the work done by this reporter. While it can automate heavy lifting, it can also replicate the harmful biases of the people who created it.
California lawmakers are rushing to address concerns through about 50 AI-related bills, many of which aim to install safeguards around the technology, which lawmakers say could cause societal harm. The proposed legislation addresses fears related to AI, ranging from data security to racial discrimination.
“We've seen with other technologies that we don't do anything until long after a big problem arises,” said state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who wrote a bill that would require companies that develop large AI do security testing.
“Social media has brought many good things to society… but we know it has had significant downsides and we did nothing to reduce or mitigate those harms,” he said. “And now we are trying to catch up. “I prefer not to catch up.”
Ipp said the foundation shares the broad concern about AI and sees the award as a means to potentially help create those guardrails.
The language of the request says it seeks ethical proposals. And like the multicultural, multiplanetary cast of “Star Trek,” it's supposed to be inclusive.
“Any use of AI or machine learning must be fair, transparent, respectful of individual rights and privacy, and must be explicitly designed against bias or discrimination against individuals, communities or groups,” according to the award website.
The inspiration for the theme also came from the requests the foundation received last time. Ipp said the prize, which is “subject-agnostic” but focuses on early-stage technology, produced compelling uses of artificial intelligence and machine learning in agriculture, healthcare, biotechnology and education.
“So,” he said, “we decided to double down this year specifically on artificial intelligence and machine learning.”
The most recent winner was Sweden-based Elypta, which Ipp said is using liquid biopsies, like a blood test, to detect cancer early.
Although the foundation is not prioritizing a particular issue, the solicitation states that it is seeking ideas that have the potential to advance one or more of the United Nations' 17 sustainable development goals, which also include the elimination of poverty and hunger. . such as driving climate action and protecting life on land and under water.
“Star Trek,” which first aired in 1966, featured tons of enviable technology, including the universal translator, the tricorder (a handheld device that performed environmental scanning, recording and data analysis), and the transporter, useful for when you need hop. to an alien planet in a pinch.
And Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy can always be trusted to employ the devices forever.
Those who meet the eligibility criteria for the Roddenberry Prize can apply until July 12. The grant will be awarded to one winner in November.
The foundation was launched by Gene Roddenberry's family after his death in 1991.
