Moments from the Denver AI Summit

Reflecting back on the Denver AI Summit, here are a couple items that emerged to me:

Language is the Foundation

AI as a Universal Copilot (Reid Hoffman). I agree - so much of what we do every day is based on language, and now we have trained computers to read, understand, and speak. They are just beginning to hear, see, and comprehend those senses. The possibilities for AI interaction and augmentation are everywhere.

Balancing Innovation and Regulation

The summit highlighted the delicate dance between AI advancement and responsible governance. It's crucial that we, as AI engineers and business leaders, actively participate in shaping policies that foster innovation while addressing ethical concerns.

The Value of Collaboration

The summit also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in harnessing the potential of AI. Public-private partnerships can foster innovation, address societal challenges, and create a more inclusive AI ecosystem. 

However, as Hoffman and Mayor Johnson pointed out, navigating the sometimes conflicting incentives of these two sectors can be challenging. Finding common ground and fostering open communication is critical to successful collaboration.

AI for Positive Impact

One of the most impactful presentations came from Amit Shah, the COO of Virta Health. They're using AI to power a virtual diabetes prevention program, and the results are remarkable. 

As someone with a background in battling childhood obesity (HeartSmartKids), I was particularly struck by the potential of AI to revolutionize healthcare and improve lives. AI-powered solutions like Virta Health demonstrate how technology can address pressing public health challenges and empower individuals to take control of their health.

Integrating Public and Private Incentives

The public and social sectors have great needs, and AI innovators have great ideas. Addressing the distinct incentives, barriers, and enablers simultaneously for public and private success is tricky. Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins from Promise Pay highlights an example that seems to be a win for everyone involved - using AI to unstick money and service flows between government and citizens. I also appreciated her line “People don't think good technology is for poor people” - unfortunate but true.

Kudos

Thanks to Denver Mayor Mike Johnson, Governor Polis, and Google: I was very impressed with the mayor’s questions, discussion, and leadership. Service is an under-represented value in the startup scene and in the AI scene - kudos to the political leaders and sponsors for elevating the subject.