TechCrunch is launching a series of interviews to shine a spotlight on women in the AI field, providing them with the recognition they deserve. One such notable figure is Anna Korhonen, a professor of natural language processing (NLP) at the University of Cambridge, who has made significant contributions to the advancement of AI.
Korhonen holds multiple prestigious positions, including being a senior research fellow at Churchill College, a fellow at the Association for Computational Linguistics, and a fellow at the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems. With a background in computer science and linguistics, including a PhD in computer science, she specializes in NLP and is particularly interested in developing AI techniques that are responsible and human-centric.
In a Q&A session, Korhonen shares insights into her journey in AI, highlighting her passion for combining the intricacies of human intelligence with practical applications in engineering and computer science. She takes pride in her work that focuses on using AI for social good, such as aiding in disease research and education.
Navigating the male-dominated tech industry, Korhonen emphasizes the importance of female support networks and calls for a shift in industry priorities towards more inclusive agendas. She encourages women to actively engage in networking and supporting each other to drive change.
Looking ahead, Korhonen discusses pressing issues facing AI, including concerns about safety, ethics, and societal impact. She stresses the need to prioritize human needs and safety in AI development and advocates for proactive consideration of ethics from the outset.
In terms of responsible AI building, Korhonen underscores the importance of diverse teams, ethical data usage, and robust techniques. She believes that regulation is essential to ensure the development of safe and trustworthy AI technologies.
Korhonen concludes by urging investors to prioritize responsible AI investments, emphasizing the importance of sustainability in AI development. Through regulation and ethical practices, she envisions a future where AI serves humanity in a safe and trustworthy manner.
