#1 AI for Good Specialization [Course 1, Week 1, Lesson 1]

In the AI for Good specialization series, leading AI experts discuss the significance of AI and machine learning in solving critical real-world problems ranging from climate change, disaster management to public health. This series aims to provide practical, hands-on experience with AI applications and to demonstrate how AI technologies can be integrated into larger solutions to address global challenges. Robert Monroe, an expert in building AI systems, shares his career-spanning experiences of implementing AI in areas of disaster management and public health. The discussion touches upon using AI in pre-disaster preparedness, addressing global access to technology and language support. It also emphasizes throughout that while technical proficiency is important, it is not necessary — it’s ideal, instead, to define a real-world problem independent of machine learning. Incorporating AI should be an afterthought, once the problem is understood profoundly. The series also includes insights from guest speakers who have melded social responsibility with AI in their careers.