The former Lot MP explains the AI ​​revolution in our lives

Huguette Tiegna, former deputy for Lotformer vice-president of theOPECST (parliamentary office for evaluating scientific and technological choices) has just created its company in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). She discusses this major subject with us following her last mission in this area carried out at theNational Assembly. This mission entrusted by OPECST from December 2023 to June 2024 is the result of in-depth work which explores recent technological developments, geopolitical, economic and cultural issues, as well as governance challenges around artificial intelligence. So many themes on the agenda of the conference-debate which will be given on Tuesday January 28, 2025 at 7 p.m., to the Balène room in Figeac.

Understanding artificial intelligence today and tomorrow

Artificial intelligence seems very new, but you say it has been around for a long time. Can you explain?

Yes, AI is not new. It was born with computing and has evolved over the decades. The year 1956 is often considered the official birth certificate of artificial intelligence as a scientific field. What is fascinating is that it has always aroused strong emotions: incredible dreams of progress, but also fears, often exaggerated. There are two main ways to create AI: the first, called symbolic, follows strict rules to solve problems, like a logic puzzle. The second, connectionist AI, learns by analyzing a lot of data, a bit like a child who discovers the world by observing. With recent advances like deep learning, this has enabled revolutionary technologies like ChatGPT, which can now generate text or images. I remind you that the term artificial intelligence is a bad anglicism. There's nothing intelligent about algorithms. “Intelligence”, in English, is the collection of information, in the sense of intelligence or knowledge, and not at all intelligence in the sense in which it is understood in French. They have no moral sense, no planning ability, no reasoning.

The AI ​​is impressive, but it's not perfect. What are its flaws?

Absolutely, AI has its limits. For example, she may produce false answers or “hallucinate,” that is, say things that make no sense. It can also reproduce biases or prejudices present in the data with which it was trained. On top of that, AI consumes a lot of energy and resources to function. This is expensive and impacts the environment. For the future, we will have to make AI more reliable, more ecological and capable of clearly explaining how it makes its decisions.

Currently, the United States and China dominate the AI ​​sector. What can France or Europe do?

Indeed, major powers like the United States and China are in the lead. They control not only technologies, but also key elements like electronic chip factories. To avoid being entirely dependent on them, France and Europe must invest in their own technologies, collaborate with other European countries and create projects that reflect our values. This means developing our own databases, our supercomputers, and above all, supporting our researchers and companies.

Could AI change our culture and our way of thinking?

Yes, it's a risk. Most AI models, like ChatGPT, are built by American companies and reflect their culture. This can standardize ways of thinking and impoverish cultural diversity. To avoid this, it is crucial to develop AI that respects our local languages ​​and cultures. In France, for example, we must train our AI with French content to preserve our heritage. And above all, it is important to teach young people to understand and use AI intelligently, so that they do not simply become passive consumers.

Soon a Summit for “action on artificial intelligence”

Who should set the rules to govern AI in the world?

It is essential to have international rules for AI to be used responsibly. This concerns subjects such as disinformation, fake news or even risks linked to privacy. Currently, there are too many isolated initiatives. A global organization would be needed to establish common rules. France can play an important role in bringing countries together around principles such as transparency and ethics. These rules must protect citizens while encouraging innovation, I think that this is the challenge of the next “summit for action on artificial intelligence” which will take place on February 10 and 11, 2025 in France.

How is AI changing the world of business and professions?

AI transforms everything! It automates certain repetitive tasks, helps to better understand customer needs and allows decisions to be made more quickly. This does not mean that it will replace everyone, but rather that many professions will evolve. Companies need to train their employees on these new technologies so they can take advantage of them. It is also important to have a dialogue between bosses, employees and unions so that this transformation is beneficial for everyone.

Won't AI lead to the elimination of many professions, won't this worsen the social divide and create new poverty?

We often hear that artificial intelligence (AI) will eliminate many jobs. This can be scary and raise questions about social inequality and poverty. But it is important to explain that things are not that simple, in fact studies that attempt to predict the impact of AI on growth or employment often diverge.

AI does not directly replace all jobs, but it changes the way certain tasks are carried out. For example, repetitive or highly technical tasks can be automated by machines or software. This may make certain positions obsolete, but at the same time, AI also creates new jobs, sometimes in areas that we had not imagined. This type of change is normal with every major technological advancement.

The real challenge is to properly support these transformations to prevent people from being left behind. For example, workers in easily automated occupations, such as certain factories or services, risk losing their jobs if they cannot learn new skills. This is why it is essential to offer suitable training and help people retrain for other professions.

“I would be ready to create training on AI at the IUT of Figeac” Huguette Tiegna

AI also raises other questions, such as respect for copyright. For example, in the artistic field, creators wonder how to protect their work in the face of tools capable of creating works in seconds.

Despite everything, AI should not be seen only as a threat. It is a tool that man can use to improve the lives of all. If we are careful to include everyone in this progress, by investing in training and making AI ethical and accessible, it could even reduce inequalities rather than worsen them.

For my part, I would be ready to create training on AI at the IUT of Figeac, because learning to master these tools is essential to allow everyone to take advantage of the opportunities it offers.

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