And yet the field finds itself in a precarious position. Issues of bias, civil rights, workforce displacement, and even the power and perception of Silicon Valley's largest tech firms–all on display in Facebook's recent public scolding in Washington–threaten AI's ability to thrive. Without steps to solve for these issues, the budding field could spend years held back from its transformative potential, functioning as a mere business efficiency tool instead of a catalyst in solving some of the world's most intractable problems. Here are five steps we can take now to ensure AI achieves the heights it should, and serves humanity in the process. Machines are already driving trucks, flipping burgers, and beating world chess champions.