In conversation with Nina Schick: AI, emerging technologies and digital inclusion

The seismic impact of AI 

AI authority and thought leader, Nina Schick joined our Group CEO, Helen Milner OBE, to discuss AI, emerging technologies and digital inclusion as part of our latest Digital Futures for Good series.

The in-depth conversation interview, launched today, highlights the impact and role of AI both currently and in the future. 

In the interview, Nina described the seismic impact of AI being similar to the transformative power computing has had on society. 

She said “We’re at the cusp of a new Industrial Revolution where we’re going to be able to produce intelligence and it’s going to have a tremendous impact. Not only on how we work, but on how we live and society at large. 

“In my view, what’s happening with AI, the best analogy when you think about how seismic the impact is, is the birth of modern computing itself.”

AI use in our National Digital Inclusion Network

In the discussion, Nina and Helen also reflected on examples where AI is currently materially helping people progress in their everyday lives, in our National Digital Inclusion Network, for example. 

This includes assistance with producing supporting material, such as letters. 

Nina added: “You mentioned how in your community people are leveraging the power of a large language model to write letters where they weren’t able to do that before because perhaps they didn’t have access to the right information or didn’t know what tone to adopt for the letter. But the fact that they can instruct a large language model to do that is really incredible.”

AI and the digital divide

The duo also focused on the impact of AI on the economy and the labour market, reflecting on the impact, both good and bad of job automation. 

Nina suggested automation is going to happen and that the infrastructure to support the transition does not, in her view, currently exist. 

She said: “I think when you consider automation and job automation and that is so often the headline around AI anyone who says there isn’t going to be labour market disruption and that it’s only going to be a net good - that isn’t true. There is going to be jobs that are going to be automated. I don’t know that we do have the wherewithal as a society to prepare for that especially if you’re thinking about it from a ‘top-down Government needs to so something about it perspective.’”

Speaking about the episode, Helen said: “It’s certain that society will be changed beyond measure by the impact of AI. At Good Things Foundation we are making sure that as these new technologies become more and more prevalent, we don’t widen the digital divide even further as a result. Our goal is to help everyone keep up with the pace of change  so nobody is left behind.” 

The AI episode, recorded at Accenture’s offices in London, is the latest in our Digital Futures for Good series, which imagines a nation without digital exclusion, focusing on the transformational potential of innovative initiatives and policymaking.

The conversation series was launched in early 2024, thanks to support from our strategic partners, Vodafone, Virgin Media O2 and Nominet.

For more information about the Digital Futures for Good series, visit our series page.