On March 26, 2025, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) announced a comprehensive list of experts available for interviews on a variety of artificial intelligence (AI) topics. This initiative highlights the university's commitment to exploring the multifaceted impact of AI on society, ethics, healthcare, and technology.
As AI continues to evolve, the need for informed discussion becomes increasingly critical. The experts at UNC-Chapel Hill cover a wide range of subjects, from AI ethics and societal impact to applications in healthcare and business. Among the notable figures is Thomas Hofweber, director of the AI Project and a professor of philosophy. Hofweber specializes in AI ethics, examining issues such as bias in machine learning and the existential risks posed by advanced AI systems.
Joining Hofweber is Snigdha Chaturvedi, an associate professor of computer science, who focuses on fairness and bias in AI models, as well as their societal applications. Chaturvedi's work on natural language processing (NLP) and large language models positions her as a key voice in discussions about the implications of AI technologies.
Neil Gaikwad, an assistant professor at the School of Data Science and Society, brings a policy-oriented perspective to the table, exploring human-AI value alignment in societal decision-making. Meanwhile, David Yokum, a professor of practice at the School of Data Science and Society, examines the intersection of AI and government, addressing how AI technologies can be integrated into public policy.
In the realm of user engagement, Nathalie Volkheimer from the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) investigates the functionality and risks associated with AI chatbots, emphasizing the importance of “honesty” in AI-generated information. Zhun Deng, another assistant professor, contributes insights into the societal aspects of machine learning and how AI can enhance social studies.
Rob Capra, a professor at the School of Information and Library Science, focuses on human-computer interaction and digital information-seeking behaviors, which are increasingly relevant as AI technologies become more pervasive in everyday life. Similarly, Anita Crescenzi and Mohammad Jarrahi delve into information retrieval and human-AI interactions, respectively, exploring how AI impacts decision-making processes.
As AI's capabilities expand, its applications in business, marketing, and education are also under scrutiny. Stan Ahalt, dean of the School of Data Science and Society, discusses how AI can transform higher education, while Mark McNeilly, a professor at the Kenan-Flagler Business School, examines the implications of AI in marketing strategies.
Meanwhile, the potential of AI in healthcare is being explored by experts like Tianlong Chen and Youzuo Lin, who focus on AI applications in healthcare and computational biology. Their work underscores the transformative potential of AI in improving medical diagnostics and treatment planning.
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, recently weighed in on the future of AI during an appearance on NBC's "The Tonight Show." Gates predicted that advancements in AI over the next decade would lead to a scenario where humans are not needed for "most things." He emphasized the concept of "free intelligence," where AI could provide high-quality medical advice and tutoring, making these services widely accessible.
In his discussion with Harvard professor Arthur Brooks, Gates expressed both excitement and concern about the rapid pace of AI development, calling it "very profound and even a little bit scary." He believes that while AI will enhance human capabilities, it will also fundamentally alter job landscapes, a sentiment echoed by Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI. Suleyman cautioned that AI advancements could lead to a "hugely destabilizing" impact on the workforce, fundamentally replacing many traditional roles.
Despite these concerns, Gates remains optimistic about the potential benefits of AI, envisioning breakthroughs in healthcare, climate change solutions, and education. He noted that while some jobs may be replaced by AI, there will always be areas where human involvement is irreplaceable, such as creative and interpersonal tasks.
Reflecting on the swift advancements in AI, Gates recalled his surprise at OpenAI's ability to create a model capable of achieving a top score on a high school AP Biology exam in just a few months, a feat he initially thought would take years. He deemed this achievement one of the most significant technological advances since the graphical user interface in 1980.
As the conversation around AI continues to evolve, Casey Ross from STAT has been reporting on its implications in healthcare. His investigations have highlighted how health insurers are racing to implement AI across their operations, raising concerns about the transparency and training of these models. Ross, along with colleague Bob Herman, was recognized as a Pulitzer Prize finalist for their investigation into how AI algorithms were used to deny care to patients in Medicare Advantage plans.
The discussions surrounding AI, its ethical implications, and its applications in various sectors underscore the importance of informed dialogue as society navigates this transformative era. With experts from UNC-Chapel Hill and insights from industry leaders like Gates, the conversation is set to deepen, ensuring that the deployment of AI technologies is approached with caution and responsibility.
