Top Top
 

WHO IS NELL WATSON?


My father was a rocketry guidance engineer, and a real mechanical and electrical boffin also. He could build or fix anything, be it a lawnmower, polarized laser, or custom-designed computer circuitry. He was keen to cement a love of engineering in me, and taught me many principles. He died when I was rather young, before I was even a teenager, but I retain his passion for efficient designs and elegant solutions, and this has driven me to pursue a career in engineering and a doctorate in that same subject.

Another of my influences is Engineer Thomas Andrews, architect of the Titanic, which was famously built in my hometown of Belfast, and upon which a distant relative of mine perished. Andrews' streamlined designs inspire many to this day, but what captivates me was his interest in lesser-known stakeholders, such as the stokers. He took care to listen to their needs, making expensive retrofits to ensure that they had plenty of water to wash with on their way back from the boiler rooms. The stokers rewarded Andrews with a special party in his honor, as a way of saying thanks.

This humanitarian aspect of engineering stuck with me, along with the ironic tragedy of the tremendous loss of life later on that voyage, and the gross inequity of who was able to survive. I often think of poor Andrews, and the team of 35 engineers who toiled to buy as much time as possible, every last one perishing.

Lessons such as this have encouraged me to focus on responsible and ethical engineering, to help to de-risk ambitious initiatives, such as the present wave of emerging technologies, which are as exciting as they can be terrifying.

Connecting with scintillating young minds is my favourite thing in the world. – at IIT Bombay

Connecting with scintillating young minds is my favourite thing in the world. – at IIT Bombay

My peers and mysef are astounded by incredible new developments practically every week. The general public has little idea of just how advanced and capable these technologies are becoming, and they seem certain to be blindsided by their disruptive effects. As technology becomes ever more intertwined with our personal and professional lives, we are ever more at its mercy. We are being steered, cajoled, and manipulated by various algorithmic processes hundreds of times per day. In a world of autonomous systems, we must ensure that human autonomy remains duly respected. 

Areas of Interest

I hold patents in machine vision, with one in quantum machine learning presently under review. Using my technical background and knowledge, work extensively to develop new standards and certifications for AI systems and the organizations behind them, including new professional credentials, generally pro bono. Transparency is a passion of mine, such as labelling standards for knowing who or what one is dealing with online, on the phone, or in embodied systems such as robots (IEEE 3152).

I have distilled the knowledge I have gained over the years into my book Taming the Machine. It is packed pragmatic insights on safeguarding sensitive data, steering algorithm-driven leadership, and fortifying cybersecurity. The book carefully unveils the hidden perils of unbridled AI, spotlighting its looming challenges to human morale and societal harmony, especially as we edge closer to an era of machine dominance. I really enjoy writing, and have been pleased to be a guest journalist for a wide range of publications, including Fast Company, Big Think, and The European.

Developing TV and movies is another interest of mine, such as contributing world design, robot design, AI philosophy, science fiction forecasting, and script doctoring for the Apple/A24 science fiction dark comedy series, Sunny. Other TV projects of mine include an animated short to provide an accessible précis of my book, introducing the biggest themes in AI.

I enjoy academic research on a range of topics, from philosophy to engineering. I have an interest in unifying physics and ethics, the point where science and the numinous meet. My favorite piece of research so far is a paper published on virology informatics, in response to the recent pandemic. In this research, my co-author and I uncovered genetic differences in SARS-1 and 2, a selection of drugs validated as promising in silico, and a mechanism by which such drugs function by interfering with the viral endodomain, instead of the spike protein (by analogy, like breaking the back of a snake so it can’t attack with its fangs). I accomplished this despite not having any prior experience in this area.

As you can imagine, I’m a big believer in the power of lifelong learning! I love to teach others also, such as at Singularity University in Silicon Valley, where I serve as AI & Ethics Faculty. I have produced a range of AI and Ethics related courseware also which is accessible online.

My range of awareness has often led me to contribute to various orgs and governments as a trusted advisor, though obviously I can’t say much about that in public. I have been pleased to assist philanthropic investors, such as the Survival and Flourishing Fund, in choosing where to disburse millions of dollars of high impact grants for the most pressing and dangerous challenges facing humanity’s future.

I seek ways to be useful to humanity in general, and enjoy working on tough challenges with others. If I may assist you, please do get in touch.

I'm best known for MY TALKS and consultations ON:

HITTINg THE GROUND RUNNING WITH A.I.

Machine Intelligence is as big a disruption as electricity was in the 20th century. It can seem confusing and hard to implement. This talk gives an overview of various terms and concepts, a timeline running from the past to the near future, and a crash course on how to practically implement AI within your business to create new opportunities.

building NEW institutions: the stronger society to come

How can we use the energy of change to move ahead and make the most of the silver linings in dark societal clouds. Newly decentralized and strengthened societal institutions are arising with great effect on business, travel, environment, work, globalisation and legislation. A peek into the mid-term future which is still full of possibilities powered by essential technologies.

AI & Reality Perception

Artificial Intelligence is becoming incredibly sophisticated, able to manipulate people's impressions of events and the news that they hear. Crucially, there is plausible deniability, the suggestions that an algorithm just happened to make a decision of a prediction without human design or intention behind it. This talk explores where technology and society may be heading next, in a scenario where individuals who are targeted for political reasons may find that their perceptions of reality itself are toyed with by the hidden and deniable 'glitches' of machine intelligence – a literal ghost in the machine.

HUMANIZING MACHINES

Intelligent machines are beginning to understand the needs, drives, and even values of humanity, with huge opportunities for each of our lives and our global society. These technologies can transform our communities, making our world more safe and secure, and helping us to manage precious resources in new ways. how can we make the most of these capabilities, and ensure that the spirit and wisdom of the human isn’t lost in a sea of cold algorithms? How can we retain our humanity, whilst growing past our greatest weaknesses?

Gaming and the Metaverse

Media synthesis technologies powered by AI are enabling unbridled creativity, as well as new ways to re-render old media content in super high definition. Whatever one can imagine can be breathed into existence. One can enter an original world never seen before, and have original conversations with AI-powered agents about practically any topic, whilst they stay in character. These choose-your-own-adventure mechanics are enabling new forms of therapy, as well as procedural education, taking us beyond base reality to experiences never before possible. But what of the risk of supernormal stimuli? What best practices might make such services more likely to be safe and ethical?

Hybrid & COGNITIVE Warfare

‘Every general is prepared to fight the last war’, as Churchill once remarked. However, the realm of conflict is changing. New methods of hybrid warfare are emerging, which aim to win wars without firing a shot, through indirect forms of action such as demoralization and mass sabotage. How can one recognise threats which appear plausibly deniable as a mere accident, and protect individuals and societies at large from being undermined through insidious means?

Science & Innovation

Machine Intelligence is greatly expanding our ability to understand the world, including ourselves. A positive feedback loop between human and machine innovation creates something greater than the sum of its parts. AI-designed antibodies, automated mathematical proofs, extremely efficient designs in new wonder materials will reshape our world. AI helps us to make sense of chaos in the uncharted waters of our respective disciplines, by making intricately complex aspects greatly more accessible.

AI & Education

How should we make sense of learning in a world where machines can instantly tell us any fact? Will AI function as a third hemisphere for our brains, or cause our brains to atrophy? The key skills of the 21st Century will be collaboration with others to work on complex problems, analyzed critically, and communicated beautifully to others. If we can get comfortable with the angst of being a beginner again as an adult, our ability to gain new skills, reinventing our abilities, can become our greatest superpower. This can also help us to navigate the tricky aspects of algorithmic management, ensuring that human autonomy is respected and upheld, in an age of autonomous machines.

New Institutions

In the wake of the second world war, the international community created powerful new institutions to protect human rights, enable free trade, and provide protection to the vulnerable. These institutions lead to the longest period of peace and prosperity in history. Sadly, the challenges of our present age are noticeably stressing these older methods of coordination. How shall we build new, decentralized institutions using powerful new AI and social collaboration techniques?

Testimonials:

“A powerful, informative, innovative, thoughtful, and thoroughly-inspiring presentation.”
— N. I. C.
“Wow! What an inspiring presentation: thought-provoking and enjoyable.”
— E. K.
“OMG, what an inspiring storyteller! I was really impressed with Nell and her professionalism. Incredibly easy to work with.”
— M. J.
“Broad-based, beautiful, and right-paced presentation. Thank you.”
— A. M.
“Thank you for the impeccable presentation. You are an amazing speaker and the entire audience was spellbound listening to you talk.”
— D. B.
“Rare to hear an AI expert with such profound cultural & social understanding as Nell Watson.”
— M. J.
“The energy levels at the event were sky high; fantastic feedback from attendees. It was a genuinely provocative, and brilliantly presented talk – you could hear a pin drop in the room.
”
— I. R.
“We were very happy with Nell Watson. She was really impressive with many pertinent examples, and really thought about what would be relevant to us. Very happy with it!”
— S. J.
“Thanks a lot for your very impressive presentation on AI . Rarely I see a complete audience as fascinated (and silent!)”
— A. M.
“Nell Watson blew the whole crowd away with intelligence, humanity, insight, and complex thinking. Just epic. The world needs more Nell.”
— P. T.
“Amazing presentation by @NellWatson. Her lessons for the future have left me both humbled and inspired.”
— J. S.
“We have received so many comments already from attendees saying how eye opening the presentation was... Nell is truly a remarkable speaker on this topic.”
— C. O'K.
“Shout out to Nell Watson, who delivered an incredibly captivating and polished keynote that had the attention of the whole auditorium.”
— T. P.
“Nell’s section was fantastic – she has such a beautiful speaking voice also!”
— H.C.
“What an amazing finish by Nell Watson. Too many amazing ideas! An absolute inspiration.”
— D. H.
“Nell is among the global leaders of ethical technology development and deployment, someone with deep understanding, courage, and passion for the preservation of values and rights.”
— A. H.
“Best presentation of the whole day. THE most amazing, inspiring speaker, with a smart, eloquent call for a renaissance of the heart. Thank you!”
— J. J.
“A huge thank you to Nell – Her talk was fascinating and she was such an engaging speaker. Our Chair was delighted to work with Nell and they made an excellent double act. ”
— A. B.
“Nell put each person in an envelope in which knowledge and insights have been lavishly scattered around. The interview afterwards also testified of expertise. Giving a talk is one thing; giving a Q &A afterwards and giving new insights is something else. In a busy world full of stimuli and speed, Nell’s talk was a relief, a resting point, a moment of pure contemplation.”
— M. V.
“Our group could not stop raving about not only how fascinating and helpful Nell’s ideas were, but also how clear and elegantly conveyed they were—even extemporaneously! They were dazzled!”
— K. C.
“It genuinely was the most inspirational and forward-facing session I’ve seen in 25+ years.”
— M. C.