IMAGINE waking up to a world where technology doesn’t just serve you, but intuitively understands and tackles the world’s most urgent challenges. That future, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), is now. Using Google Meet, I explored with Nikki del Gallego, the head of Data and Insights at Google Philippines, on Google’s AI innovations’ transformative potential.

A key component of today’s generative AI activity can be attributed to Google’s 2017 research on Transformers in a paper titled “Attention Is All You Need.” Significant advancements in natural language processing and machine translation tasks were enabled because of the Transformer architecture. Your favorite Google products, like Search, Maps, Gmail and Photos, among many others, are powered by AI.

Harnessing Google AI

Del Gallego shared examples of marketing campaigns powered by Google AI. Using AI, McDonald’s analyzed their app’s e-commerce data to anticipate the actions of their in-app users, pinpointing those most inclined to make a purchase. Because of these insights, they enhanced their customer acquisition strategy, boosting conversions by 550 percent at the same time lowering the cost per action. With tools like Performance Max, performance advertisers can use their entire inventory of Google Ads in one unified campaign, allowing them to maximize their results.

Another useful tool is Google TextFX, which helps writers come up with creative copy in a few prompts. TextFX tool could be useful for rappers and language enthusiasts as well. Google Workspace with Duet AI offers guidance, sparks creativity, boosts productivity, and prioritizes data privacy. On Google Cloud, Duet AI’s enhanced preview features further optimize software processes, data analytics and cybersecurity.

Responsible AI innovation

In July 2023, Gizmodo highlighted a significant update to Google’s privacy policy, suggesting that “the entire public internet is now accessible for its AI projects.” Gizmodo pointed out that Google’s new policy might allow the company to gather older human-generated content, like archived reviews or blog entries, to understand the nuances of human text and speech. Measures to reduce the data you share with Google are possible. Use private browsing or opting out of tailored ads.

Toju Duke, an ex-Google employee for responsible AI development, wrote the book “’Building

Responsible AI Algorithms: A Framework for Transparency, Fairness, Safety, Privacy, and Robustness.” In her book, Duke argues that the primary problem with bias isn’t inherent to AI, but in how it’s managed: “AI is not 100 percent evil. It’s not out to erase all of humanity. It has many benefits, and it’s progressively becoming an integral part of existing technologies.” Nevertheless, Google has made strides toward championing responsible AI. In collaboration with Anthropic, Microsoft, and OpenAI, Google unveiled the Frontier Model Forum.

Kent Walker, president, Global Affairs, Google & Alphabet, elaborated, “We’re excited to work together with other leading companies, sharing technical expertise to promote responsible AI innovation. We’re all going to need to work together to make sure AI benefits everyone.” This industry body will help ensure the safe and responsible development of frontier AI models.

Google AI can be a positive force in society

Although AI skeptics have warned of doomsday scenarios, I was thrilled to learn more about how Google’s AI can benefit society. For instance, AI models are being used to detect breast cancer earlier by evaluating X-rays and ultrasound scans. Currently operational in India and Taiwan, Google expects that its reach will soon expand to other countries as well. A perfect example of AI in action is Google’s Tree Canopy Lab for urban environmental management. With its data-driven insights, it is assisting Quezon City in particular.

Then there is the “Calling in Corals” using AI and hydrophones to study marine life at Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park to preserve biodiversity. A digital banking startup in the Philippines called Tonik is making use of artificial intelligence to develop financial inclusion. With Google Cloud’s support, Tonik trimmed down its open banking innovation process to 10 months, extending access to loans for many Filipinos living in rural areas.

So, imagine a world where Google’s AI collaboratively tackles our most pressing challenges in health, climate and nature, uniting expertise from diverse sectors. But with this promise come ethical complexities. Navigating this AI-driven age, the intricate balance of our ethical core and technological brilliance will chart the course ahead.