Vancouver recently hosted the inaugural Canadian edition of Web Summit, a leading global technology conference, attracting a record-breaking 16,000 attendees from 117 countries. The event, held at the Vancouver Convention Centre from May 27th to 30th, saw a significant focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), with discussions ranging from its incredible advancements to the urgent need for ethical considerations and robust safeguards.

The conference’s opening sessions set a serious tone. A panel titled “Current AI is technically and morally inadequate” featured prominent voices like Gary Marcus, a renowned scientist, author, and outspoken AI critic, alongside Amy Nordrum, Executive Editor of MIT Technology Review. Their participation highlighted the growing concerns surrounding the rapid development and deployment of AI technologies.

The discussions underscored the ‘huge risk’ associated with unchecked AI progress, emphasizing the critical importance of responsible innovation and the development of preventative measures to mitigate potential negative consequences. The sheer scale of the conference, and the diverse international representation, signified a global recognition of the profound impact – both positive and negative – that AI is poised to have on society.