In recent years, right-leaning leaders in politics and tech like Donald Trump and Elon Musk have attacked the value of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives. But for Elise Smith, the CEO and co-founder of the tech startup Praxis Labs, learning to navigate cultural differences is simply good business, especially for ambitious multinational companies with employees and clients around the world. "Regardless of what you think about the term DEI, this work will continue, because fundamentally it does drive better business outcomes," says Smith, 34. "Fortune 500 companies are trying to figure out: How do we serve our clients and customers, knowing that there's a ton of diversity within them? How do we bring our teams together to do their best work?"

There is increasing evidence of the business benefits of responsible AI (RAI), when companies mitigate risks through training and testing data, measuring model bias and accuracy, and model documentation. Companies that adopt responsible AI experience higher returns on their AI investment. Raj Shekhar writes that business leaders globally must coalesce around the imperative to develop rigorous, consistent standards for responsible AI adoption. Much has been spoken and written about the risks to public trust and safety arising from the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)-based applications across multiple sectors. In finance, the use of AI has led to discriminatory credit decisions.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are fast moving out of the hype status and into the reality status. South African industry recently launched the AI Institute of South Africa, with the objective of consulting with government on AI policy, while also representing South Africa in global AI forums and initiatives. The AI world is faced with many questions. How can we ensure that AI is for good and will not destroy itself and in the process, the world? Do we need global regulations?

"With great power, comes great responsibility" I remember hearing this dialogue in the Spider-Man movie where Uncle Ben schools a young Peter Parker on the travails of wielding power in life. In the context of Artificial Intelligence, this phrase could not be more relevant. Artificial Intelligence is widely being heralded as General Purpose Technology by many economists – one with a range of characteristics that make it poised to generate long-term productivity and economic growth. The onus of bailing out economies out of turmoil and provide a foundation for a new world order falls on AI, in these COVID times especially. This makes the debate around ethical AI is extremely pertinent today. How can AI be ethical?

AI and ML are often used interchangeably, but they are in fact, not the same. Take a deep dive to learn more about these tech buzzwords! Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are some of the hottest buzzwords in tech these days, and maybe you want in. But first, let's take a moment to distinguish the two because while they may often be used interchangeably, they are in fact, not the same. AI is the concept of machines being able to carry out tasks in ways that humans would consider "smart."

What I'm about to posit may get me some blowback, but, as my peers and colleagues know, I'm not one for complacency. So, here it goes: Behind every good robot lies an even better human. As technology continues to impact even the most fundamental aspects of our daily lives – getting our annual medical checkup, watching TV, communicating with our parents and children, applying for a job – we're demanding more from the products we love. No longer are we satisfied with how a product looks and feels; we expect it to enhance our lives in a significant, memorable way. Take Amazon's Echo, whose success lies in its ability to make users feel in control of fulfilling their wishes through the power of their own voice.