Ethics for AI, and the power of positivity

Each week, we delve into the reading lists of finance professionals around the world. This week, we hear from Elizabeth Pittelkow, CPA/CITP, CGMA, a member of the Illinois CPA Society Board and an American Institute of CPAs Council member. Here is a sampling of content that has resonated with her:

• “Why AI Is Still Waiting for Its Ethics Transplant”: This article talks about the challenges of making artificial intelligence follow an ethical structure and the need to create accountability among the community that is developing this technology. The article also emphasises how important it is for AI design teams to be diverse and include people who can test it for social, ethical, and economic impacts. Pittelkow said that a good place to join the discussion regarding machine learning is Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Moral Machine platform.


• “Communication Skills for Workplace Success”: “Communication skills are essential to human interactions, and this article provides an actionable list of skills to cultivate, with plenty of resources to continue learning,” Pittelkow said. “Effective communication can be difficult, which is why it is important to work on it.”


• “9-Year-Old Burn Survivor Got Unexpected Inspiration from Jack Buck”: “After hearing John O’Leary's story, I am encouraging everyone, including myself, to focus on the joy in our lives and think about what we can do to make a difference for others,” Pittelkow said. O’Leary spoke in October at the American Institute of CPAs’ fall Council meeting about the power of positivity. “Everyone needs positive inspiration and the reminder that one person is capable of changing the world,” Pittelkow said.

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