Artificial intelligence is on everyone’s mind these days, as the potential and capabilities of the technology becomes ever clearer. But just as the possibilities presented by AI implementation expand, so to do the ethical and social pitfalls. How can we steer clear of the latter while taking full advantage of the former?

In AI for Social Good, AI scientist and Director of the Artificial Intelligence for Good Research Lab at Microsoft, Rahul Dodhia, delivers an up-to-date and insightful exploration of AI’s potential to change the world for the better. Bridging the gap between current realities and tomorrow’s possibilities, the author explains how AI really works and how to responsibly integrate it into our policies and projects.

In this book, you’ll find an easy-to-follow, nontechnical discussion of contemporary artificial intelligence tools―including how they’re built, what they can do, what they cannot do, and the raw material that “teaches” them―along with a collection of common challenges that you may face when integrating AI into your own work.

AI for Social Good explains how artificial intelligence became such an important phenomenon and how it can be used, both ethically and unethically, to transform society. You’ll learn how governments and regulators can become more adaptive and create regulations and laws with the potential to keep up with the fast pace of change in AI technology. You’ll also discover how you and your organization can tap into the power of artificial intelligence to solve longstanding commercial and social issues. Finally, you’ll explore the very real risks inherent in AI implementation and how to avoid them and other common mistakes and pitfalls.

Perfect for policymakers, project managers, and nontechnical leaders who work alongside AI scientists, AI for Social Good demonstrates how diverse and integrated teams can create remarkable products and realize tremendous results without compromising their ethical standards.

PRAISE FOR AI FOR SOCIAL GOOD

“An inspiring overview of what machine learning and artificial intelligence can already do to make the world better, and what can be done to use these tools more effectively.”
―ANDREW GELMAN, Professor of Statistics and Political Science, Columbia University

“Rahul Dodhia’s book AI for Social Good is a comprehensive exploration of this transformative field, which for technologically challenged, non-experts like myself, brilliantly demystifies this exciting field. It leaves you with the hope that AI will be harnessed for the good of the planet, and used ethically and responsibly. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding AI’s past, and present as well as its profound influence on the future of humanity on planet Earth.”
―LOUISE LEAKEY, Paleoanthropologist, Turkana Basin Institute, Kenya

“A highly accessible whirlwind tour of how AI works, what it can and cannot do, and why it sometimes goes off the rails. You will find inspirational stories on how AI can be used for good, and cautionary tales that temper your hubris. Bringing his considerable experience to bear, Dodhia’s compelling nuts-and-bolts discussion of how to set up teams that make the most of this potentially transformative technology is a must-read. This book has something in it for everyone seeking to understand and make the most of this rapidly evolving tool.”
―JACOB N. SHAPIRO, Director, Empirical Studies of Conflict Project, Princeton University

“Just as the dawn of the nuclear age simultaneously shaped our hopes and our greatest fears for the future of the planet in the last century, so too for artificial intelligence in our century. The world’s deeply vulnerable environment and its communities are at a crossroad: one path leading to ecosystem collapse triggering extreme poverty and violence, the other towards balance and recovery. Our ability and determination to choose the right path is profoundly linked to the choices we make on the use of this nascent technology. In his writing, Rahul provides the critical thinking to channel our choices on the use of AI into a force for long overdue positive change.”
―EMMANUEL DE MERODE, Director of Virunga National Park

“A compelling book that explores the responsible use of AI as a force for positive and transformative change. It offers a valuable guide for those interested in leveraging AI to tackle the urgent challenges of our time. In an era where AI is both celebrated and met with significant apprehension, AI for Social Good serves as a great guide, offering practical advice, real-world examples, and a compelling vision for harnessing AI to address our most pressing challenges. An invaluable resource for anyone navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape in the pursuit of societal betterment and serves as a resounding call to action, encouraging individuals to become part of the movement for positive change.”
―INBAL BECKER-RESHEF, Program Director of NASA Harvest