E222 ‘Building Trust and Innovation in AI’ with ADAPT Centre’s Declan McKibben

Today’s guest is Declan McKibben, Executive Director at the ADAPT Centre. Organisations worldwide are grappling with the realities and opportunities posed by AI-enabled tools and technologies. In this podcast, Declan offers invaluable insights into how AI is reshaping industries, the challenges associated with its adoption and the collaborative efforts needed to harness its full potential.

Declan shared an overview of the ADAPT Centre, a research initiative funded by Research Ireland, focusing on human-centred AI. Located across eight universities in Ireland, including its headquarters at Trinity College Dublin, the centre is a thriving hub for interdisciplinary research. With over 400 participants, ranging from principal investigators to Ph.D. students, the centre engages in fundamental and applied research, collaborating with industrial and public sector partners across Europe.

Two prominent projects underscore the successful collaboration with Dublin City Council: Smart D8 and the Digital Twin initiative. Smart D8 serves as a living lab in Dublin’s Smart Docklands, encouraging innovation and community engagement. The Digital Twin initiative employs technologies like 3D modeling and AI to improve city planning and infrastructure management, showcasing the tangible benefits of AI integration.

In January, Dublin City Council and ADAPT Centre launched a joint Generative AI lab, addressing internal AI adoption challenges. This collaborative project focuses on digital transformation through AI, ensuring regulatory compliance and enhancing public trust. With a multidisciplinary team, the lab is a breeding ground for innovative solutions, showcasing AI’s potential to revolutionise public sector operations.

The AI Accountability Lab at Trinity College, examines AI technologies and their societal implications. This initiative addresses issues like bias and discrimination, using comprehensive audits and evaluations to ensure AI models are fair and inclusive. The lab embodies a multidisciplinary approach, involving social sciences, humanities and arts to scrutinise AI’s impact on society.

As AI continues to reshape our world, it’s imperative to adopt a measured, inclusive approach. The insights from Declan and initiatives like the AI Accountability Lab illuminate the path forward. By promoting collaboration, enhancing literacy and scrutinising societal impacts, organisations can harness AI’s transformative power responsibly.