‘AI is a force for good’ was the motion discussed at the Big Debate at The Ladies’ College.
The event took place in December last year and was chaired by Sir Richard Collas. The event saw students Tilly and Amal, Principal Daniele Harford-Fox and Kim Sgarlata, CEO of Oak Group debate the impact of artificial intelligence on society today.
“AI has transformative potential across multiple sectors such as healthcare, education, and sustainability”, argued the proponents of the motion, Kim Sgarlata of the Oak Group and lower-sixth student Amal. They emphasised the analogy of ‘ethical parenting’ for AI, suggesting that just as good parenting shapes children, so too should humanity guide the development of AI responsibly. “While automating some jobs, AI would also create new opportunities and shift the workforce towards more meaningful and value-added roles”, added Kim. The proposers also stressed the importance of regulatory frameworks to ensure AI’s ethical application and highlighted the need to address societal biases that AI might amplify.
Kim said: “AI can be a force for good, far beyond the simplistic binary of being for or against it. We’ve reached a point where the question isn’t whether AI should exist, but how we can guide it to serve humanity’s best interests. We must embrace AI and encourage it to evolve with ethics at its core. The call is not to resist the inevitable but to actively mould AI’s growth with thoughtful stewardship.”
Amal added: “We shouldn’t see AI as a rival but as an ally. The assumption that AI will simply replace jobs and displace workers overlooks the partnership we can have with this technology. AI can elevate our work and the potential of our industries. It’s about leveraging AI as a tool for advancement, rather than viewing it as a threat to our livelihood.”
The opposition, represented by Daniele Harford-Fox and upper-sixth student, Tilly, raised concerns about human behaviour and its influence on AI’s trajectory, particularly the tendencies towards greed and poor collaboration. They questioned the capacity of current systems and incentives to ensure AI’s benevolent evolution. They warned the audience of potential societal harm and exploitation without proper leadership and regulation. Concerns were also voiced about AI-induced job displacement, the rapid development of AI beyond human control, and the dangers of AI in perpetuating biases and misinformation.
Daniele Harford-Fox commented: “My worry is not with AI itself, which indeed has the capacity to address some of our most pressing challenges, from health crises to climate change. Rather, my concern lies with the facets of human nature that could derail its potential: our propensity for greed, our struggle with collaborative problem-solving, and our historical short-sightedness in the face of profound change. Without addressing these human factors, AI’s ability to be a force for good may be significantly compromised.”
Tilly added: “The genuine danger posed by AI in the job market cannot be understated. As AI becomes more advanced, it threatens to replace not just manual or administrative roles but also those requiring deeper cognitive skills. This isn’t just about the loss of jobs but the loss of human elements—creativity, empathy, the personal touch—in professions where they are most needed. We’re on the cusp of a transformation that could see millions displaced without the means to adapt swiftly enough, leading to widespread socio-economic upheaval.”
Both, despite their differing stances, agreed on the importance of responsible stewardship and ethical guidance for the future of AI, underlining the debate’s conclusion that AI’s role in our future hinges on human decisions and interventions.
This debate at The Ladies’ College served as a microcosm of the global conversation on AI, reflecting the diverse opinions and urgent questions that our society faces as we integrate these advanced technologies into the fabric of our daily lives.
Pictured: Left to right – Back row: Daniele, Tilly, Amal and Kim Sgarlata. Front row: Mia and Richard Collas.
