Leaders from Zoox, ICON, and Autodesk convened to discuss how technological innovation must be guided by a people-first philosophy. The conversation, which took place at a TIME Trailblazers event, underscored the importance of ensuring that progress benefits humanity.
Aicha Evans, CEO of autonomous vehicle company Zoox, highlighted the profound responsibility of such technologies, particularly in light of the nearly 40,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths in the U.S. She emphasized that safety remains a paramount concern in the development of autonomous transportation.
Jason Ballard, founder of ICON, a firm specializing in 3D-printed housing, drew upon personal experiences with natural disasters to illustrate the need for better human shelter. Ballard described current construction methods as "inhuman," "sterile," and "repetitive." He envisions a future where housing can be both accessible and aesthetically pleasing, arguing that technology has the potential to reconcile seemingly conflicting values such as affordability and beauty, or speed of construction and sustainability. "What advanced technology is supposed to do is maybe bring our values out of conflict," Ballard stated. "Right now you have to choose between affordability and beauty, or you have to choose between speed of construction and sustainability. But wouldn’t the purpose of technology be that we can have all of our values?"
Steve Blum, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Autodesk, addressed prevailing anxieties about artificial intelligence and automation potentially displacing human workers. Blum asserted that at Autodesk, AI is viewed as a tool to "augment the human, not replace the human," freeing up individuals to focus on more engaging tasks and deepen their expertise. He noted that many industries face capacity constraints due to a shortage of personnel, and AI can help maximize the output of existing human resources, enabling them to undertake more projects.
Concluding the panel, Ballard offered an optimistic outlook on technology's role in enhancing human dignity. Despite widespread apprehension surrounding advanced technologies and AI, he expressed excitement about the tangible advancements being made. "There’s a lot of maybe scary, fearful things in the air right now around advanced technologies and AI," Ballard said. "But I think when you look at the things that are actually being done with the tools today… it’s a very cool time to be alive."