A Longford journalist, Anne-Marie Tomchak, has been given a platform to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping our future in a new documentary titled Game Changer: AI and You. Produced in collaboration with Science Foundation Ireland and Science Week, the documentary delves into the rapidly accelerating pace of AI technology and its impact on our lives.
Anne-Marie Tomchak, who has written extensively on politics, digital culture, and technology, uses her expertise to examine how AI is transforming the human experience. The documentary explores various aspects of AI, including its positive contributions to fields such as health, education, and social outcomes.
One notable highlight of the documentary is when Tomchak returns to her hometown in Longford, Ireland, to address the issue of climate change. Filming in Longford, she visits Abbeyshrule airfield and takes a helicopter ride using LIDAR technology to map the topography of the land. The data collected is crucial for policymakers in making informed decisions on land use. Tomchak describes the experience of seeing Longford from a bird’s eye view as amazing.
The documentary also tackles the prevalence of misinformation in today’s technology-driven world, with technologies like deep fake blurring the lines between fact and fiction. Experts in technology and ordinary individuals whose lives are influenced by AI contribute to the conversation throughout the documentary.
During her journey, Tomchak travels to Cornwall to meet Ameca, the world’s most advanced human-like robot, and engages in a discussion with Oxford University Professor of Computer Science, Micheal Wooldrige, about the potential impact of AI on humanity. The documentary aims to present a balanced view of AI, acknowledging both the positive and potentially concerning aspects of this rapidly evolving technology.
Tomchak emphasizes that AI and sustainability are two major issues of our time that require engagement and understanding. While acknowledging the potential risks and dystopian narratives surrounding AI, she also highlights the positive possibilities that AI offers, comparing it to the initial concerns people had about calculators diluting our ability to perform arithmetic but later realizing that calculators unlocked new methods of problem-solving.
Game Changer: AI and You will be broadcast on RTÉ One on November 16th, providing viewers with valuable insights into the ever-expanding world of AI and its implications for society.
