The AI Mirror: Reflecting Our Values in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Let’s remember the importance of our own individual role in the AI evolution. 

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an integral part of our lives. As professionals deeply invested in the AI conversation, it's crucial to not only focus on what AI can do for us but also on how we want it to do it. The values we infuse into AI and the relationship we build with it will shape its impact on our world. 

AI has the potential to be the world's biggest mirror and magnifier. The quality of its output is directly influenced by the quality of our input. This means we must be intentional about the words we choose and the values we embody as we interact with AI. By doing so, we ensure that AI reflects and magnifies the principles we have consciously chosen, such as professionalism, collaboration and inclusivity. 

The language we use when interacting with AI is of utmost importance. Words have the power to shape perceptions and influence behavior. By choosing our words intentionally, we can guide AI systems to respond in ways that reflect our values and aspirations. One of the most highly utilized CoPilot prompts seems to be re-writes. What if, instead of only asking for CoPilot to re-write our emails and documents in a more concise and professional manner, we also asked for it to be written in a kind and inclusive manner? I encourage you to give that type of prompt a try.  

Imagine a world where AI interactions are guided by empathy and respect. A world where AI not only performs tasks efficiently but also enhances our human experience by upholding the values that matter most to us. This vision can become a reality if we take deliberate steps as individuals and as key technology developers to shape AI's development and integration into our lives. 

Co-Authoring with CoPilot

Try this: I invite you to think of 3-4 words that capture how you want to show up as you build your relationship with AI. Intentionally infuse these into your prompts whenever you partner with an AI experience.

Some example words might be professional, collaborative, direct, concise, inclusive, engaging, etc.

Example prompt: Hey CoPilot - Please re-write my below email in a more concise and professional manner. Please also include 1-2 ideas on how to write my emails more inclusively.

I would be remiss to not acknowledge one of the key aspects of building a positive relationship with AI is understanding the importance of data. The data we feed into AI systems plays a crucial role in determining their behavior and outcomes. Therefore, it is imperative to prioritize data quality and diversity. By incorporating diverse perspectives and experiences into the data, we can create AI systems that are more inclusive and representative of the world we live in. I call all involved in technological advances to hold this as a forefront consideration and not a post-development test.

As we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what AI can achieve, I encourage you to be intentional in your interactions with AI. Choose your words intentionally so they reflect the values you want AI to mirror and magnify.

Let’s remember the importance of our own individual role in this AI journey. 

Follow Kayla Lozano for more content on AI and the human experience.

Shout out to Microsoft Copilot!