Devpolicy Spotlights Laurel Miller’s Remarks on AI’s Implications for International Development

Australian National University’s Devpolicy Blog highlights Asia Foundation President Laurel Miller’s 2023 Australasian Aid Conference closing remarks on the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for the international development sector. In her speech, Miller articulates key points of concern related to AI in developing countries, including technological asymmetry, heightened inequality, data privacy, and the future of work. While recognizing the impact of AI, she also emphasizes its potential to address pressing development challenges and actions those in the development sector can take to address its implications. 

The Australasian Aid Conference (AAC) is an annual event co-hosted by The Asia Foundation and the Development Policy Centre at the Australian National University at the Crawford School of Public Policy in Canberra. For nine years, the Australasian Aid Conference has united researchers from Australia, the Pacific, and beyond who specialize in aid and international development policy to facilitate knowledge sharing, foster collaborative efforts, and enhance development in the community.

We will need to make considered judgments about when AI tools are the best choice, mindful of the potential for biased outcomes and other negative consequences. We will need to support the development of local technical and regulatory capacity, recognising the critical need for people whose understanding of context and culture matches their technical acumen. Our support should include reflection on ethical issues and responsible practices. In the realm of AI governance, we will need to help develop responsible policy and regulatory capacity in the countries we work in. 

Read Miller’s full remarks. 

Learn more about our work to harness the potential of AI with our “AI Perspectives from Asia” initiative with Stanford University.