In the interview, Aneja discusses her concerns about the techno-solutionist narratives around AI, the political economy of AI production, and the concentration of power within a handful of technology companies. She advises women seeking to enter the AI field to develop their knowledge and expertise, and not focus narrowly only on AI. She also emphasizes the need for AI to be built responsibly, considering the entire life cycle of AI production, and for investors to push for responsible AI.
Key takeaways:
- TechCrunch is launching a series of interviews focusing on remarkable women who’ve contributed to the AI revolution, including Urvashi Aneja, the founding director of Digital Futures Lab.
- Aneja's work focuses on the societal impact of algorithmic decision-making systems in India and she has authored a study on the current uses of AI in India across sectors including policing and agriculture.
- She advises women seeking to enter the AI field to develop their knowledge and expertise, and to understand AI as a socio-technical system that’s a product of history and culture.
- Aneja believes the most pressing issue facing AI is the concentration of power within a handful of technology companies and the environmental impacts of AI, which she believes are not being considered seriously enough.