AI Inclusion Podcast, Episode 1 looks at new technologies

In its AI: Inclusion podcasts, equality and inclusion think tank Diversity UK aims to examine how bias occurs in the application of Artificial Intelligence and how to mitigate some of the biases. This is part of a greater awareness campaign to counter the threat of bias in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in its aim to inform and educate the public about equality and inclusion initiatives, particularly in relation to race, and to promote greater diversity in the tech sector in Britain.

The Grand Challenge of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big data

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big data is one of the 4 Grand Challenges that will see AI used across a variety of industries to put the UK at the forefront of the AI and data revolution. However, recent reports have shown that there is a low level of understanding about AI among the public, particularly in the BAME community; fear about the implementation of AI particularly in automation and robotics and considerable bias in the way that AI is being implemented.

In the episode AI: Inclusion and New Technologies, digital entrepreneur and Chair of Diversity UK, Lopa Patel MBE, talks to Chintan Patel, Chief Technology Officer at Cisco UK & Ireland. The podcast explains artificial intelligence, machine learning and other related technologies in layman’s terms. It explores some of the current controversial uses of AI in profiling, surveillance and security and discusses issues of how bias creeps into AI; the ethical and moral implications and the regulatory environment we need for the future.

About Diversity UK

To meet its objectives, Diversity UK has for the past five years published the hugely popular Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list; celebrated the Asians in Tech Pioneers; hosted Tech Showcases to celebrate the creativity and innovation of startup businesses founded by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) founders; created an informal platform for founders to hone their pitching skills, meet investors, network and learn from others in the sector. Diversity UK has also undertaken research, contributed to industry consultations, judging, debates and roundtables on funding, digital skills and AI.

About the Speakers

About Lopa Patel MBE, Chair – Diversity UK

Lopa Patel is a digital entrepreneur with significant experience of creating start-ups and transforming businesses through technology. The founder of two ventures in online media and a data-driven marketing consultancy, she is also the Chair of equality and inclusion think tank Diversity UK; a Trustee of The Science Museum Group and a Non-Executive Director of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) Steering Board. With a lifelong love of science and technology, she is an evangelist for STEM, innovation and bridging the skills gap in business. She has been recognised with accolades including an MBE for services to the creative industries; the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion and an Honorary Doctorate by The Open University.

About Chintan Patel, CTO – Cisco UK & Ireland

Chintan Patel is the CTO for Cisco UK & Ireland. He leads a team of visionaries and technologists in areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, IoT, Blockchain, Virtual & Augmented Reality and 5G Mobile Networks. He spearheads Cisco’s DevNet Developer community and STEM research partnerships aimed at establishing a platform for the digital and coding skills needed for future generations. Chintan studied at Brunel University in London for his BSc (Joint Hons) in Computer Science and Economics, and Diploma in Professional Business Development. He honed his technical skills at Lloyds Banking Group, Nortel Networks and NetCentrex before joining Cisco in 2005.