What the New ‘Artificial Intelligence Action Plan’ Means for New Yorkers

Mayor Adams hopes the new AI plan will “improve" NYC's government

New York City braces for the new era — the world of AI.Photo by(The author)

New York City — Let's face it, we've all seen our share of doomsday, robots-take-over-the-world flicks. Scary stuff. Intelligence is as intelligence does, after all. So if robots can beat us playing chess, why can't they beat us at life, too?

Well... not so fast.

There's a reason we call manmade forms of intelligence "artificial." Whenever we play the role of Nature and program intelligence, in such cases — the intelligence abruptly becomes artificial.

"Art" is always limited to the artist...

...No matter how sophisticated AI becomes, it'll never surpass the artist who programs it. Never. After all, "no stream rises higher than its source." Only when we allow our imaginations to take flight do we overstep science.

The result?

We land in the world of science fiction.

Thankfully Mayor Adams is betting on science, not sci-fi.

Mayor Adams echoes the President's view on artificial intelligence

The mayor's sober approach echoes President Biden's recently issued executive order on artificial intelligence — a breakthrough technology armed with the power to revolutionize life as we know it.

“AI is all around us,” Biden said. “To realize the promise of AI and avoid the risk, we need to govern this technology.”

Indeed, as does Biden, Adams acknowledges AI is changing the world at “warp speed” but also carries danger along with enormous potential.

True to his reputation as a no-nonsense former police captain, Adams cut straight to the chase.

In his "Artificial Intelligence Action Plan,” he highlighted AI's potential to “improve services and processes across our government,” though he acknowledged the risks.

As for the "risks," again, just as a hand can't extend beyond its reach, artificial intelligence can never surpass programmed intelligence. Which raises the question:

Which goals are the city hoping to reach with AI's assistance?

The Takeaway

The city unveiled a 51-page AI action plan.

According to a Bloomberg report, topping the list of aims is "to match students with public schools, to track foodborne illness outbreaks and to analyze crime patterns," etc.

“It’s not enough to encourage agencies to deploy more AI-based solutions," wrote Matthew C. Fraser, the city’s chief technology officer. Now we're on to something. Again, in this scenario — AI is the servant, not the master.

"We must also provide them the framework and support to mitigate risks of misuse, inaccuracy, or bias and discrimination,” Fraser concluded.

In short, just as money is a rich servant but a poor master, the same can be said for artificial intelligence.