Suha Al Subaihi – The Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Dr. Omar Hatamleh, emphasized today at the University of Jordan (UJ) the inevitable impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future of humanity, noting that it will influence all aspects of life, including health, economy, education, and beyond.
Speaking during a lecture organized today by the International Program, Marketing, and Alumni Unit as part of the "UJ Talks" series, and attended by the UJ president, vice presidents, deans, and a large audience of professors and students, Hatamleh highlighted the significant leap brought about by the emergence of large language models since 2021. He explained how these tools have become accessible to everyone, predicting transformative changes in the future with the integration of quantum computing and advanced AI technologies.
“As AI advancements sweep across the globe, its impact will be deeply felt, varying significantly by region and sector.”
In his lecture, Hatamleh explained that artificial general intelligence (AGI) represents the next phase of AI, where systems will possess capabilities akin to the human mind, such as advanced reasoning, problem-solving, and long-term memory. He predicted that this stage will be realized by the end of the current decade, underscoring the importance of developing regulatory and ethical frameworks that ensure transparency and accountability while avoiding biases in training data.
Hatamleh showcased groundbreaking innovations in the medical field facilitated by AI, such as accelerated disease diagnosis, the design of new drugs and vaccines, and health monitoring technologies through smart applications. He also addressed challenges associated with these technologies, including privacy, security, and their profound impact on the labor market. He stressed the necessity of regulating these technologies to mitigate their negative effects.
He pointed out that intelligent robots and AI will fundamentally alter the labor market and affect various sectors, such as migration and global economies reliant on migrant workers. Furthermore, he discussed AI's influence on creative professions, such as music, which could evolve through these technologies, in addition to medical innovations like AI-supported bioprinting of organs.
“Artificial intelligence is not good, artificial intelligence is not bad, it's what we teach it to be.”
Hatamleh also cautioned against harmful uses of AI technologies, such as autonomous weapons, deep-fakes, and risks linked to centralized AI control, which could impact autonomy and sovereignty. He warned of the possibility of technology domination by specific companies, and emphasized the importance of collective action to address AI challenges and ensure its ethical and sustainable use.
He clarified that AI is neither inherently good nor bad; its effects depend on the quality of data it is trained on. This underscores the need to improve data quality and minimize biases. He also touched on the ethical challenges associated with AI, stressing the need to strike a delicate balance between establishing laws that ensure innovation and effective regulation. He commended new European initiatives as an important step forward, calling for their continuous development to become more effective and impactful.
“The same skills that brought us to the present won’t take us to the future”...”An exponential landscape demands exponential thinking.”
Hatamleh noted that modern technology is no longer confined to a specific field but has become cross-sectoral and multi-purpose. He called for enhanced collaboration among governments, industries, academics, and businesses to achieve integration that fosters innovation and development, stressing the importance of a proactive approach, urging societies to anticipate and prepare for future changes rather than reacting belatedly.
He added that creativity and innovation must become essential to institutional and societal culture, highlighting the need for ecosystems and institutional frameworks that promote creativity and encourage innovative thinking. However, he also noted the societal impacts of technological advancement, ranging from changes in personality and physical effects to influences on creativity, focus, and cognitive abilities, driven by technologies like self-driving cars.
In a comment, UJ President Prof. Nathir Obeidat expressed his pride in Hatamleh as a distinguished alumnus of the University of Jordan and commended his prominent role. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to students to benefit from his valuable expertise. Obeidat underscored the importance of preparing for future challenges, particularly in AI and quantum computing, through developing teaching methods and focusing on fostering students' personalities and intellectual capacities to enable them to confidently and creatively navigate the changing times.