Use AI responsibly for a better world, with Tshilidzi Marwala | UNU Rector | Awake at Night

Growing up in rural South Africa, Tshilidzi Marwala first learned about engineering from his grandmother’s handmade clay pots. Now rector of the United Nations University, the Under-Secretary-General is a vocal advocate of using artificial intelligence (AI) for good. “I would not trust AI. You are not supposed to trust AI. You are supposed to use it, always doubt it, always verify what it tells you, cross validate, so that you can be able to use it responsibly.” Education has been a driving force throughout Tshilidzi Marwala’s life, alongside the seismic transitions he has witnessed in his native country and around the world. “We [returned to South Africa just after the end of apartheid] and then we realized that freedom is beautiful… Democracy is a beautiful concept, but it's a very difficult journey. It's not an overnight thing.” With a doctorate in neural networks among his many academic achievements, the UNU rector is familiar with the architecture behind the current rapid developments in AI. In this episode, he reflects on the intersection of political freedom, education and technology, and shares why digital literacy is among the most important skills of our age. [00:00] Introduction [00:33] Growing up in apartheid-era Venda [04:15] Lessons from his grandmother [13:11] From rural life to the National Science Olympiad [18:44] New cultural exposure and freedoms [23:07] South Africa’s democratic transition [24:47] Cambridge and discovering AI [29:43] Future of accessible education through AI [33:17] AI for development and public good [35:50] What keeps Tshilidzi awake at night [39:47] Technology versus human behavior [41:30] Leading the United Nations University [42:46] Life in Tokyo, family, and music [45:03] Closing remarks Listen to more Awake at Night episodes [link to AAN YouTube playlist] #podcast #UnitedNations #AwakeAtNight #UNU #AI #ArtificialIntelligence About Awake at Night Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.


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