Tiou Clarke | Mastering the future: Jamaica’s journey towards ethical AI literacy

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) has emerged as a transformative phenomenon, reshaping tasks such as data entry, research, and even basic question-answering. While many articles have explored the dangers of AI and the skills it may render obsolete, few have sparked a conversation about its ethical usage, particularly in the Jamaican educational context. Why is this? Often, discussions about AI are based on second-hand information sourced from platforms like YouTube or anecdotal experiences. Engaging directly with AI tools can offer a deeper understanding of their purpose and potentially shift perspectives on their application in various industries, especially education.

THE CONCEPT OF AI LITERACY

Brent Anders, a lecturer and the director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at the American University of Armenia, defines AI literacy as ‘the combination of knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to effectively understand, interact with, and make informed decisions about AI’. This literacy extends beyond mere technical expertise, encompassing a critical and informed viewpoint on this rapidly evolving technology. Being AI-literate empowers informed decision-making, promotes critical thinking, prepares individuals for future advancements, reduces fear and misinformation, and fosters collaboration.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AI LITERACY

AI, once a figment of science fiction, now has a ubiquitous presence in our daily lives. It influences everything, from personalised website recommendations to medical diagnoses and financial algorithms in forex trading. AI literacy is crucial for ethical considerations, enabling users to make informed decisions and advocate for responsible AI development and implementation. Understanding AI’s global impact, including its potential benefits and pitfalls, is essential for shaping a future that benefits everyone.

KEY INSIGHTS FOR AI LITERACY

AI is pervasive, influencing everything from smartphone recommendations to search engines and social media platforms. However, AI is not infallible; it has its limitations. Tools like ChatGPT, Bard, Claud AI, and Gemini are not omniscient. It’s important to fact-check information using reliable databases such as Emerald, EBSCO, and CRETO. Consulting experts and specialised institutions before utilising information is also crucial. Encourage original thinking and use AI tools as aids to identify errors and enhance your final product.

AI AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, it raises several ethical questions about privacy, bias, and job displacement. Being AI-literate allows us to identify these issues and initiate conversations to find solutions. International organisations like the UN, UNESCO, ILO, OECD, and the World Bank are conducting research to shape AI’s future, yet comprehensive policies for its ethical use are still in development. It’s our responsibility to examine AI’s use in line with our moral values and find a balanced approach.

COMMON AI TOOLS AND THEIR USAGE:

• DeepMind: A subsidiary of Alphabet, DeepMind specialises in creating advanced AI models for predictive analytics and modelling, revolutionising fields like healthcare and gaming.

• Jenni.ai: Designed for academic writing, Jenni.ai acts as an AI assistant, enhancing research and writing workflows by providing intelligent suggestions and insights.

• ChatGPT-4: A versatile text generation and creative writing AI model, ChatGPT-4 serves as a chatbot, virtual assistant, and coding assistant, capable of performing complex analytics.

• Bard: Like ChatGPT-4, Bard excels in generating creative and informative text, often used for engaging storytelling and content creation.

• Copy.ai: Primarily used in marketing, Copy.ai automates content creation for ads, emails, and social media posts, streamlining the copywriting process.

• Jasper: Jasper aids in content creation for marketing and sales, offering AI-driven solutions to generate high-quality, engaging, written content.

• Outplay: Focused on sales enhancement, Outplay uses AI to optimise sales strategies and improve engagement with potential customers.

• Lavender: Lavender helps sales teams craft effective emails using AI, analysing, and suggesting improvements for better response rates.

• Hour One: Specialising in video creation, Hour One uses AI to generate realistic human avatars for various multimedia applications.

• Runway: Runway offers creative professionals AI-powered tools for video editing, enabling innovative visual effects and streamlined post-production processes.

• Fliki: Fliki is an AI tool that transforms text into professional-quality videos, ideal for educational content, marketing, and storytelling.

• OpenArt: OpenArt leverages AI for artistic image generation, allowing users to create unique digital artworks with simple text prompts.

• DALL-E 2: Developed by OpenAI, DALL-E 2 generates highly realistic and creative images from textual descriptions, pushing the boundaries of AI-driven art.

• Craiyon: Formerly known as DALL-E mini, Craiyon is an AI model capable of creating whimsical and imaginative images based on user-provided text prompts.

• GitHub Copilot: GitHub Copilot assists developers by suggesting code snippets and entire functions, streamlining the coding process.

• Gogram: Gogram offers AI-powered coding assistance, helping developers with code completion and error correction.

• GhostWriter: GhostWriter aids in software development by providing AI-generated code suggestions, improving coding efficiency and accuracy.

• Podcast.ai: Podcast.ai uses AI to create synthetic podcast episodes, featuring realistic voice synthesis and content generation.

• Coqui: Coqui specialises in AI-driven speech synthesis, enabling the creation of natural-sounding voiceovers for various applications.

• Listnr: Listnr converts text into speech with natural-sounding voices, suitable for podcasts, audiobooks, and voiceovers.

TRAINING FOR AI LITERACY

• UTech, Ja: The University of Technology, Jamaica offers comprehensive training in AI and its applications, focusing on equipping students with practical skills to navigate the AI landscape effectively and preparing them for AI-related roles in the workforce.

•The Mico University College: The Mico University College provides a professional certificate in AI literacy, offering an in-depth exploration of AI in the modern world, including practical training on AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard, and equipping students with the skills to generate effective AI prompts.

• Online platforms: Platforms such as Coursera, edX, Udacity, and DataCamp offer a range of online courses on AI, catering to various skill levels and covering topics from basic AI concepts to advanced applications, allowing learners to gain valuable knowledge and skills at their own pace.

In conclusion, AI literacy refers to the comprehensive understanding of AI, encompassing not just the technical know-how, but also a critical awareness of its capabilities, limitations, and ethical implications. This literacy is increasingly important as AI becomes more integrated into various aspects of daily life, influencing decision-making in industries like healthcare, finance, and education. The urgency for AI training stems from the need to navigate this evolving landscape responsibly. Being AI-literate empowers individuals to make informed decisions, fosters critical thinking, and prepares them for future technological advancements. It also equips them to address ethical challenges, such as data privacy, bias, and job displacement, ensuring that AI is used in a way that aligns with societal values and contributes positively to human progress. Therefore, acquiring AI literacy is not just beneficial but essential in an era where AI’s influence is rapidly expanding.

Dr Tiou Clarke is a lecturer in the School of Business Administration at the University of Technology, Jamaica. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.