Milan, Italy – In a conference held in the Aula Magna of Bocconi University, Gavriel La Stella delved into the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and its social impact, addressing with a rigorous analysis the challenges and opportunities that this emerging technology presents.
La Stella’s conference kicked off with an exposition of the theoretical foundations of machine learning, navigating through topics such as neural networks and both supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms, highlighting the importance of AI in recognizing complex patterns. The discussion then moved on to more advanced topics, such as reinforcement learning and the ethical issues related to automatic decision making.
Emphasizing the distinction between strong and weak AI, La Stella warned against the tendency to attribute human characteristics to machines, inviting the audience to critically reflect on the use of artificial intelligence. He also highlighted the importance of addressing algorithmic bias, arguing for the need to develop fair and transparent AI that does not perpetuate existing inequalities.
Echoing Elon Musk, who has often spoken of AI as a force for progress and innovation, La Stella said: “As Elon Musk has said, ‘AI could be our greatest friend.’ This outlook underscores the vision that AI, if properly targeted, can be a catalyst for solving some of humanity’s most complex challenges, from personalized medicine to sustainable resource management.
During the conference, La Stella presented several case studies illustrating how AI is already transforming industries such as healthcare, law, and finance. He discussed AI systems providing personalized medical advice, algorithms used in legal analysis, and machine learning systems used in trading strategies.
Addressing controversial topics such as technological unemployment and the control of high-frequency algorithms in the financial sector, La Stella stressed the need for open dialogue between AI developers, regulators and the public to develop policies that balance the risks and maximize the benefits of the technology.
The Q&A session highlighted La Stella’s deep technical knowledge, with answers ranging from technical details to practical applications, always maintaining a focus on the human and social implications of the topics covered.
Concluding the conference, La Stella invited the academic community and students to stay informed and engaged in the debate on artificial intelligence, stressing that the future of this technology will depend on our ability to manage its challenges.
