When Intelligence Becomes Artificial, What Makes Us Human? | Nina Shaye | TEDxMacatawa

After losing her aunt to pancreatic cancer, student researcher Nina Shaye taught herself machine learning and built an AI model designed to detect early-stage tumors. In this TEDxMacatawa talk, she reflects on what artificial intelligence cannot do and argues that purpose, choice, and wonder define what it means to be human in an era of instant answers. She also raises the question of what an immediate answer might cost a child.

• A student's machine learning model for early-stage tumor detection, inspired by a family loss to pancreatic cancer
• Argues that purpose, choice, and wonder distinguish people from AI
• Questions the value of instant answers, especially for children

What if the most dangerous thing you can give a child is an immediate answer? After losing her aunt to pancreatic cancer, student researcher Nina Shaye taught herself machine learning to build an AI model that detects early-stage tumors, and learned what AI can’t do. She makes the case that purpose, choice, and wonder are what make us human in an age of instant answers. Nina Shaye is a junior at the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center and Portage Central High School. Passionate about both STEM and the arts, she conducts research in machine learning and cancer detection and has presented her work at international research conferences, including the International Science and Engineering Fair and International Youth Research Conference. Nina is also an accomplished visual artist, having won the Congressional Art Competition and received multiple Scholastic Gold Keys. She is deeply involved in the West Michigan community and founded Ladybug Art Camp, which introduces young girls in Kalamazoo to the fundamentals of visual arts. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx