Tech & AI LIVE: Gen AI – Human-centric AI, Aaron Celaya

December 05, 2024

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Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Celaya, Deputy Program Manager at the U.S. Space Force University Consortium on a human-centric approach to generative AI

Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Celaya, Deputy Program Manager at the U.S. Space Force University Consortium, delivered an insightful keynote at Tech & AI LIVE: Gen AI.

With an intriguing title "Generative AI, Metacognition, and a Cat," Aaron drew inspiration from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland to propose a human-centric framework for integrating generative AI into business workflows.

The lessons of Alice and the Cheshire Cat

Aaron began by recounting the exchange between Alice and the Cheshire Cat, underscoring a critical takeaway: intentionality drives choice.

"To make purposeful decisions, we need knowledge of the task and clarity about the goal," he explains. This concept, he argues, applies directly to the deployment of generative AI, where success hinges on understanding the purpose of the tool and how it aligns with organisational objectives.

To illustrate, Aaron shares a personal anecdote about motorcycling: sometimes the ride itself is the goal, while other times the destination takes precedence. He likens this to AI adoption, where organisations must balance exploration and targeted implementation.

Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Celaya, Deputy Program Manager at the U.S. Space Force University Consortium

A metacognitive framework for generative AI

Aaron introduced a five-step metacognitive framework for effectively integrating generative AI:

Self-awareness of task knowledge
Employees must understand their objectives before creating AI prompts. Without this foundational knowledge, AI outputs risk being misaligned with business needs.
Confidence in evaluating AI outputs
Users need domain expertise to assess the quality of AI-generated content. Aaron praises tools that include confidence metrics, which help users gauge the reliability of AI outputs.
Balancing confidence and fear
Fear often arises when users lack the skills to validate AI results, such as coding expertise. Training and support can mitigate this barrier, empowering employees to use AI effectively.
Efficiency versus effectiveness
Employees must decide whether a task is best completed manually, collaboratively with AI, or fully automated. This evaluation ensures AI tools enhance rather than hinder productivity.
Integration with existing workflows
Generative AI must complement, not replace, established processes. Aaron encourages organisations to experiment with low-stakes applications to identify opportunities for meaningful integration.

Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Celaya, Deputy Program Manager at the U.S. Space Force University Consortium

Recommendations for getting started

Aaron emphasised the importance of experimentation and training in driving generative AI adoption. He offers four practical recommendations:

Training: Focus on upskilling employees in their roles and providing guidance on leveraging AI tools effectively.
Exposure: Encourage hands-on experimentation with free or low-cost AI tools, fostering familiarity and confidence.
Experience: Create opportunities for employees to explore AI applications informally through workshops or brainstorming sessions.
Experimentation: Begin with small, manageable projects under human oversight to assess AI’s impact and refine processes.

He likens the journey to a buffalo running toward a storm: confronting challenges head-on leads to quicker and more effective outcomes.

Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Celaya, Deputy Program Manager at the U.S. Space Force University Consortium

The future of generative AI: Creativity and intentionality

Aaron closed with a call to action, urging organisations to embrace generative AI as a tool for creativity and enhancement. By fostering an environment that encourages exploration and collaboration, businesses can unlock the full potential of AI technologies.

“Start small, fail fast, and iterate,” he advises, echoing the wisdom of the Cheshire Cat: “Every adventure requires a first step.”

With intentionality and imagination, Aaron argues, organisations can navigate the complexities of AI adoption and emerge stronger, more innovative, and better equipped to face the future.