At the recent scientific conference held at Farmleigh House, presided by Minister for Higher and Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick Donovan, attendees expressed a blend of hopefulness and apprehensions while discussing that the present policy significantly falls short of immediate needs.
The congregation comprised prominent Irish scientists, heads of science-related operatives – particularly the newest primary funding organisation, Research Ireland – and high-ranking civil servants. At its core, this was a discourse regarding the correlation of science and regulations; questioning whether the correct research is being pursued to guarantee the best results for citizens and the country.
Donovan prompted for “incitement” and candidness with a view of ensuring a stronger, enduring vision for Irish science. Speakers genuinely reciprocated his request, not out of self-benefit, but with the intent to guarantee science-driven activities confront evident obstacles while seizing opportunities. They called for a just division of funds between public welfare and results-driven research encompassing industrial needs.
The strongest case for redirection came from climate scientist Prof Peter Thorne from Maynooth University and also the co-chair of the All-Island Climate and Biodiversity Research Network, a burgeoning fraternity of experts on climate and biodiversity, fully aware of the vast – and urgent – challenges we confront.
On the topic of enhanced long-term collective research on climate-biodiversity being the overriding prerequisite, he underscored the recent precursors of what’s in store – still why Ireland can respond suitably.
“Why does Ireland have one of the highest greenhouse emissions per capita in Europe?” he asked, “We contribute to a minuscule portion of the total emissions into the atmosphere (0.1%), but if every person on the planet carried the traditional emissions profile of Ireland, the global average temperature currently would be over 3 degrees. We have contributed disproportionately to the problem. Our infrastructure across the island is already struggling to cope with the impacts of climate extremes; something we must bear in mind is that climate extremes will increase in a strongly non-linear manner.”
Our current global temperature which exceeds normal rates by 1.5 degrees is troubling; a rise to 2 degrees would aggravate the situation further, while a 3-degree rise would be disastrous beyond our wildest imagination. The scale of the environmental damage caused by human activities is colossal and long-lasting, making appropriate remedial actions imperative. Achieving a net-zero carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions globally is just a stop-gap measure; it doesn’t revert our planet back to a pre-industrial climate. We need to remember that human evolution, from hunting and gathering, to agriculture, to industrialization, and to technology, happened in a climate that was mostly stable. We are at risk now because we’ve disrupted this delicate balance.
Our ability to address this issue is crucial, especially in the face of persistent erosion of our biodiversity. The problem-solving capability should lie within us, evidently in places like Island of Ireland with its well-educated populace, immense resources and propensity to act swiftly.
However, Prof Thorne reminds us that it’s not all doomsday; we have substantial potential to respond effectively and researchers share a strong joint commitment to work together. But this would require research that cuts across various disciplines, and not just within the sciences. Many other nations have already embarked on this path, showing us that this is not an overly radical approach.
It’s clear that maintaining the status quo is futile. It’s ludicrous having about 30 different entities funding climate-biodiversity research in a nation of around seven million people. Another concern is that most of these institutions only provide short-term grants, leading to complications in hiring, training, and retaining research staff. “We put our effort in great training, only to then push them out of the door,” Thorne lamented.
Professor Thorne notes the exceptional work carried out by the significant scientific centres in Ireland, which tend to be greatly steered by the business sector. These centres are in a perpetual state of intense rivalry amongst themselves and other institutions, a fight reminiscent of ‘cats in a sack’.
Artificial Intelligence is an area of great potentiality, once we confront the significant energy requirements of data centres, as per Professor Brian MacNamee from University College Dublin. He asserts the best performers in roles ranging from poker players to radiologists and stock traders are not solely people or AI systems, but rather a harmonious blend of the two.
Presently, data centres are responsible for 21% of total electricity usage. Effectively designed systems that combine human skills and computational abilities will be exceedingly efficient. MacNamee stresses the importance of creating such systems, ensuring the users maintain control and agency, while reducing the unnecessary consumption of data, excessive computation and lower-grade manual work.
While progress in physical AI such as robotics has been somewhat sluggish when compared to software-based AI, says MacNamee, the discrepancy is lessening. He envisions a future where our lives seamlessly integrate with AI systems such as drones and autonomous vehicles and therefore, it is crucial to ponder about the implications of such a world now.
He also points to the ways advanced AI systems can enhance and quicken progress in other scientific fields. He proposes a world where each scientist will have their own AI aid at work. All facets of our lives, including work, community life and social activities, will have underlying AI systems at work.
As we enter this new era, much like the shifts caused by the advent of cars, electricity and the internet, it is critical to deliberate on how we ensure the progress in AI leads to a net positive impact on society whilst avoiding past errors.
Ireland’s longstanding role in AI and its generation of top-ranking AI scientists, many of whom have greatly contributed to recent major developments, opens up substantial opportunities for the nation. The country’s commitment to a greener agenda further bolsters its position in the AI field.
Mirroring Thorne’s sentiment, he expressed that our nation’s scale provides us with the scope to enact considerable endeavours. We possess the ability to communicate with one another, our decision-makers and our communities. It’s feasible to locate the individual with whom you wish to collaborate.
This capability enables us to spearhead distinct fields of Artificial Intelligence research. We can serve as a pioneer, a model for implementing this nascent technology in various facets of our existence and society in a trustworthy and proficient manner.
MacNamee foresaw significant rewards: “If we unite to implement actions at a national level, the contrasting advantage is that we emerge as a major contender on the global stage.”