Aalto University researchers, Vikas Garg and Samuel Kaski, Kirk Bresniker ’89, Chief Architect of Hewlett Packard Labs, and Maya Ackerman, SCU engineering professor and AI pioneer, joined panel moderator, Irina Raicu, Ethics Center's director of internet ethics to discuss "The Biggest Hopes and Challenges of AI" on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues its explosive growth, existential questions arise that need to be considered. Questions such as: Will AI be a tool for enhancing humanity, or will it reduce us to passive bystanders in a machine-dominated future?
This was the genesis of a recent event, the "Biggest Hopes and Challenges of AI.” Hosted by the Markkula Family, Aalto University in Finland, and the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, the summit brought together expert perspectives from Finland and the U.S.
The inspiration for this event came during a visit to Helsinki last May, where Mike Markkula met with leadership from Aalto University. Markkula also had the tremendous honor of being named a Finnish Knight and Commander of the Order of the Lion during the visit.
Kristi Markkula Bowers ’90 MBA ‘97, member of SCU’s Board of Trustees and co-founder and CEO of AI company, Grape.ag, set the table by stating the purpose of the day’s discussion: “Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a concept—it is a defining force shaping our evolving humanity. Its impact will inevitably touch every aspect of our lives, presenting both incredible opportunities and significant challenges. Integrating and managing AI responsibly, ensuring it’s used for good, and fostering open discussions are essential to navigating this new frontier.”
Markkula Bowers then turned the conversation over to Irina Raicu, the event’s MC and director of internet ethics at the Markkula Center, who led a panel discussion featuring Vikas Garg and Samuel Kaski, both professors from Aalto University, and Maya Ackerman, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of WaveAI and SCU professor of AI, and Kirk Bresniker ‘89, chief architect of Hewlett Packard Labs and HPE fellow and vice president.
Participants gather for a collaborative discussion, "The Biggest Hopes and Challenges for AI" presented by Mike Markkula, Aalto University, and The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, and hosted by the Markkula Family on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.
Following the panel, all of the event participants, including SCU President Julie Sullivan, Aalto President Ilkka Niemelä, SCU Provost James M. Glaser, Ethics Center Executive Director Don Heider, and tech luminaries like Mike Markkula himself, and Marten Mickos, Aalto alumni and start-up CEO, all participated in small group discussions that deepened and broadened the themes explored by the panel.
During the thought-provoking event, the group identified key themes including the transformative potential of AI, its risks and pitfalls, and the critical question of who sets the rules that will determine its impact on humanity. Other issues emerged including:
- Are the various AI tools fit for the purposes to which they are being applied?
- How do we maintain human diversity and vitality amidst the use of AI?
- Do we want AI-powered machines to tell us the truth?
- Human values should guide AI’s development.
Professor Ackerman brought the discussion full circle when she reminded the group of the importance of humanity when considering AI’s future: “We should keep in mind what's really important. We are here physically in this exceptionally beautiful space, in this remarkable theater, spending time together. What really matters, what really makes us happy, are things that we already have. Being with people in the same space. Sharing food. Enjoying the beauty of nature and marvels of our own creativity, such as this beautiful space that we are in. We don't need AI, we are not broken. We don't need AI to save us. AI should be allowed into our lives in ways that enrich us, for example, when it is used to elevate our human creativity. When AI is targeted to take away from our humanity, then it should stay away. It's all about humanity, and we should get to choose how to incorporate technology into our lives.”
Looking forward, Raicu closed the event with this final thought: "In order to integrate AI successfully into various facets of our societies, we will need many such challenging conversations across geographical borders and academic disciplines."