Support for Arkansas Week provided by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Arkansas Times, and Little Rock Public Radio.

Hi, everybody, and welcome, I'm Donna Terrell.

As the use of artificial intelligence continues to grow at a rapid pace.

Arkansas universities are expanding training in AI and amid ethical concerns.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Attorney General Tim Griffin are thanking Congress for removing a provision from the so-called one big, beautiful bill that would have placed a ten year moratorium on states regulating AI.

Griffin will join us in a few minutes to discuss that.

But first, Harding University in Searcy will next month begin offering a Bachelor of Science degree in AI.

It comes a year after John Brown University began offering AI as a major.

While other schools are incorporating AI into their programs.

Assistant Professor Joe Faith with Harding College of Business Administration helped developed his school's new program.

And I certainly do want to welcome you to our program.

I've been so excited about talking about this because I am really fascinated with AI and all that it does.

We'll get to that in a minute.

But I guess for starters, I'm just wondering what prompted Harding to want to offer a degree in AI.

Yes, ma'am.

Well, first of all, thank you for having me.

It's a pleasure to be here.

The thing that really spawned the idea was, was me actually talking to the provost last year, starting at the beginning of January 2024, is when I started my doctoral studies, and I'll be finishing that later this year.

I did a accelerated program, but I'm actually studying engineering at George Washington University in AI and machine learning.

And I approached the provost and I was like, I really think when we look across the nation, there is a lack of undergraduate, programs.

Yeah.

When I even looked at my doctoral program, I'm in just the second cohort.

The George Washington University is even doing so.

It's hard to find specific programs in this area to begin with, let alone programs I feel are encompassing of the skills you need to go out there and get a job in the space.

And let's talk about that.

First of all, what does the curriculum entail?

You created the curriculum.

Yes, ma'am.

What is in it?

Then you're able to tell me exactly what's in it.

I can, yes.

So really, it's housed in the the College of Sciences, in the computer science department.

And what we did is we took the the bones of the standard Bachelor of science and computer science, and most colleges offer a collection of electives that they can take.

Now, what essentially that entails is there are certain special topics, courses that students can usually choose.

So we just carve those out and actually put 24 hours of specific AI engineering courses.

So you still get taught about software development, data structures, operating systems.

You still learn about data analytics.

That's computer science.

We're talking computer science when you talk about that.

Yes, ma'am.

So okay, so you get all of that.

But the AI component.

Yeah.

So I'm a student.

What am I going to learn about AI that's going to help me get a job.

Right.

So we have a full suite of classes we teach you about machine learning, the mathematics of that.

You of course, take all of your calculus one, calculus two linear algebra.

We have a class on building neural networks, generative AI applications, and chat bots.

We have a class on actually aligning models in terms of AI ethics.

And how do you put in guard rails?

How do you train these models.

You mentioned guardrails.

So there's an ethical issue when you talk about AI.

We know just like the internet, the internet is a great tool.

It is so helpful.

But it can be so damaging on so many different levels.

It can be hurtful.

So when you talk about these guardrails and the ethical, issues surrounding AI, what are students learning?

What will they learn?

So a lot of what comes into these models, of course, when they're trained, they're trained on essentially all the publicly available data on the internet.

So there's a lot of inherent biases that come as a result of that.

So there are different ways you can train these models.

A very common way you may have heard before is called RL, f. It's what we call reinforcement learning with human feedback.

So that's actually where the model is generating responses.

And then it's actually creates what's called a reward model.

And the humans can qualitatively judge the responses to try to guide the model, to respond in certain ways or to avoid certain language.

That's a really large part of it.

But you still get emergent behaviors.

That's not you know, this is a statistical model if we want to generalize.

So you can't necessarily always control what it does.

So we typically will add software around that things called system prompts to try to direct the model.

And really the future as we cede more control to our day to day lives.

To these models, teaching students how to do this in an ethical way is very important.

It just just, yesterday if you saw on X, Elon Musk, he has the grok chat bot account.

Yes.

They they remove the guardrails on that.

And it actually started spouting all sorts of terrible things on its account.

And then they had to re put guardrails back into it.

And it was a very good case study of what happens if you remove the guardrails.

Right.

Yes.

Oh my goodness.

And so yeah, what kind of jobs are we talking about?

I think that's very important because, you know, we get excited when we hear AI.

Okay, I'm going to, go to college and get a degree in artificial intelligence.

Now, I just graduated.

What kind of jobs are available?

So what we typically would say you would go for something called a machine learning engineer is typically the entry level job.

So that's going to be somebody that is actually working on the actual programing code to develop these models.

But there's a whole suite of tasks that you would be available for.

So what kind of company would I apply to to get that job?

Well, you could with this degree, you know, a lot of people start out and they may want to go work for an open AI, but a lot of times you may not have all the experience needed.

So I know several people that started out as data labelers and then tried to work their way up and kind of get those skills later.

What we're trying to do with this degree is give you kind of rough and ready all the skills you need to go out there and start actually building models.

So if you wanted to apply to a company like OpenAI, you could.

But if we look in industry, we see the the adoption curve for AI has been huge.

And so you could even go to a smaller middle company and implement a, there as well.

So that's just growing.

And I would think when we look at other countries and I think of China, that comes to mind, I'm sure there are degrees.

There are people who are learning AI, the like the back of their hand, if you will.

And we need our students, and especially here in Arkansas, to also have the advantage of getting great jobs in AI since that's, you know, it's it's evolving.

Yes, ma'am.

Yeah.

And, you know, China I think would be the big you know, there's a couple of big universities over there.

And half of all AI researchers are Chinese.

So it's you know, definitely, you know, we don't want to fall behind in this area.

I think Europe is also, but particularly France has quite a few good researchers as well.

But definitely, if we could get more, especially in the state of Arkansas, I think that would be great.

And I think that's great.

One final question.

We only have a minute.

The two universities now it's Harding and John Brown, both Christian schools that are offering AI curriculums.

Is that just coincidence?

Well, I think that Christian universities have something unique to say in this space.

I think the ethical component of this technology will be the deciding factor of this.

If this is a positive or a negative net outcome, okay, you know, it's a value neutral tool.

But I think we we have to be very careful with how we implement it.

All right Joe Faith, love that last name.

Thank you.

Assistant professor at Harding University.

Thank you so much for being here.

Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Really appreciate it.

To continue our conversation on artificial intelligence is Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin.

I want to thank you so much for being here.

Thank you for having me.

So you were among 40 attorneys general from around the country, both Republican and Democrat, who signed a letter to congressional leaders opposing that ten year prohibition on states regulating AI.

That had been for our viewers who may not know it.

It was part of the congressional budget bill, but it was removed from what was passed last week.

So why do you all feel that states should have that authority and not the federal government?

Well, there are there are things that need to be done in the space of AI that we're not confident it can be done by the federal government in a way that is that is quick and nimble and, sufficient to fill in and and responsive to our individual constituencies.

Look, states routinely regulate and pass laws on things that are affecting their people in very specific ways that may differ from state to state.

Also, at the state level, we can move much, much, much more quickly than the federal government.

And so what we were saying in that letter, and I have a I have a copy of it right here.

We're basically saying, look, we believe that the federal government has a key role to play here.

But number one, the states do two.

And number two, if the federal government is going to play a leadership role, which we're we're for that role, then they need to demonstrate a plan which there was no plan.

There is no plan.

So what the feds, what the federal government was basically doing through the provision that we got stopped is it was basically saying states you do nothing for ten years in this area, and we're just going to figure it out.

Yeah, that's completely unacceptable.

So from a ag standpoint, from a criminal law standpoint, this is really important because we just passed some legislation this year on csam child sexual abuse materials.

A.I.

generated.

See, Sam, there was a delta a difference between what the federal government statute said and what state statute said.

We wanted to get some synergy there, and we wanted to make sure there were certain activities, involving AI that are prohibited, that are that are criminal.

And we passed that.

If the moratorium was in place, we would not be able to respond as this area developed.

This is such a fast moving area.

Donna.

Yeah.

And we want to make sure that we're responding to develops and states are really good at that.

Yeah.

In a way that Congress is not because we're more nimble.

We're just faster.

Well let me get that.

We're closer to the people.

Let me just ask you a few questions, because you already answered one of the questions I was going to ask you.

I'll get back to that.

But just explain.

What ways do Arkansans need to be protected from AI?

I'm sure you've already seen cases.

You.

I know, child porn is is one of those areas, but what are some of the other areas Arkansans need to be concerned about?

Okay, well, let me let me first step back and say we don't want to quash in this state or hopefully in any other state.

We don't want to quash innovation that is going to be made possible by AI.

We need to lead the world in AI.

Our biggest strategic competitor in this space is China.

And and to be blunt, they're not our friends.

And they have designs, for the future that, that don't help us and aren't friendly to us.

And we need to win this competition over AI.

So first of all, we got to do no harm.

We got to make sure the private sector can continue to innovate and do what it needs to do.

However, however, with all technology, with email, with lots of different technologies that we've gotten, over the last few decades, there are bad actors, right, that we have to change the law to address.

So with AI, we've talked about child pornography and AI, but there's also the ability to use AI to make it seem like someone other than the person speaking is speaking.

Using my voice well and using your voice and using your face.

It's important that you, you just brought that up because just this week Marco Rubio, his voice was used in, in that manner.

So of course where we're talking about things like that.

I you touched on the legislation that was passed, protecting people from non-consensual AI models.

How does that work?

So, well, let me, let me let me just say this in the Marco Rubio context, because states can move so quickly when something like that pops up, if we're in session, we can address it like that.

And of course, at any time a governor has the ability, if something were to come up to call a special session and deal with it.

Congress can't act that quickly.

I know I was a staff member in Congress and I was a member of Congress, so I know Congress extremely well.

And there's a lot of things that we count on Congress for.

But speed and agility and nimbleness, that's not one of them.

Right.

So as it relates to what we just got through passing, this is a perfect example of where we're just trying to protect people from stealing.

So what you're basically doing, you're stealing someone else's identity.

And it's almost always, not always, but it's almost always for financial gain.

Right, right.

There are other uses for that are nefarious.

But financial gain has a lot to do with it.

Well we already see this with non AI scams.

Whether it be saying that you didn't pay at all and or saying and, and looking like, a state agency maybe from another state saying that you're someone's cousin, whatever a guy allows people to do that.

Criminals in a much more effective way.

And so the legislation that that we worked on seeks to make that more difficult.

But but the the key takeaway, Donna and I've only got a couple minutes that the key takeaway here is this.

This is a fast moving train.

It is developing day by day.

There are a lot of positives that AI is going to bring.

Continues to bring.

We must win this innovation competition.

But at the same time, as with any technology, we've got to keep an eye out and be able to quickly with nimbleness, respond and and protect consumers and Arkansans.

I think we need to take that away with a ten year moratorium, particularly when the federal government is not equipped to step into that space.

That was just a bad idea.

We got together.

We killed it.

And I, you know, I want to thank our senators, Bozeman and Cotton for their leadership.

But there are the governor.

The governor and other governors reached out on this as well, but, yeah, we need.

It was a just a really bad idea, this moratorium.

And we were effective in killing it.

And we're going to keep doing what we're doing to try to protect people.

Well, we certainly do.

Thank you, Attorney General, for all the work you do for the state of Arkansas and protecting Arkansans, and especially in this space of I thank you so much for thank you during the time.

Good talking.

Appreciate y'all.

Thank you.

All right.

Bye bye.

Stay with us.

We'll be right back.

Welcome back everyone.

Arkansas has reported at least 35 fire related deaths so far this year, surpassing 2020 a total of 27.

Now, this is according to the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management.

Most of those deaths were due to non-working smoke detectors or people who did not have one in their homes.

Joining us to talk about fire safety and prevention is Eddie Anderson, the community risk reduction specialist at the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.

I'm so glad you were able to join us to talk about this.

You know, in 2021, I'm looking at numbers right here.

There were 38 reported deaths.

And then last year that fell to 27.

Now we're up to 35.

Yes, ma'am.

What happened this year?

You know, that's one of the great mysteries we're trying to figure out.

Basically, what we're seeing is no smoke detectors at all or having smoke detectors, and they're not working.

And we're also seeing that it's the elderly, because of the lack of mobility and stuff that are unfortunately have been victims of, this this year, you know, mostly and having worked in television for so long and reporting.

I know that most fires, most not all start in the fall when people are trying to keep warm.

Something malfunctions or they're they're operating their stove when they shouldn't be.

But.

You told me we are averaging 1.3 deaths per week.

So how are these fires starting?

Well, we just have have had a mixture of electrical issues.

We've had home oxygen, and smoking.

That's pretty much where we're looking at.

I mean, it's just.

Just things that are, preventable.

Yeah.

And, you know, and, nowadays you get 2 to 3 minutes to get out of a structure.

2 to 3 minutes.

Yes, ma'am.

And if, if, if you have mobility issues, if you're elderly or, you know, I mean, it's hard to move that.

Absolutely.

How can we help people?

Well, the biggest thing we can do to help people is make sure they understand that one working smoke detector in your home increases your survivability by 60%.

Just one, just one.

But it's recommended for a lot more than that.

But one will increase your chances by 60%.

Anybody that does not have one, if anybody knows of family members or friends that don't have smoke detectors, you can contact your local fire department.

They can help out with coming in and installing smoke detectors and doing a home risk assessment to make sure that the home doesn't have anything, just jumps out that says, hey, I can, I'm flammable.

Like it's around the cook stove and stuff.

Having paper towels or their dish towels, different things like that.

But, you know, that's what we're kind of seeing.

And they talk a lot about clutter, too.

Sometimes we have so much clutter that all of these things can go up in flames a lot faster.

If you have fewer things, you can catch fire, or at least it'll give you enough time to get out.

Right.

And that smoke detector alerts you when the fires in its beginning stages.

So you actually have a little more time to get out.

But if you don't have one, you've lost that extra time to be able to get out.

Because these are smoke detectors.

Right.

And and you know, before the flames get out of control, it's detecting that smoke.

But if you're elderly or you don't have help, and we tell people that you should change the batteries in your smoke detectors when you, during the time change, change your clock.

Change your batteries.

Exactly.

But if you have mobility issues and you cannot do that, where do you go for help?

Can you call the fire department and say it's time for you to come to my home?

Right.

I mean, you know, hopefully they have smoke detectors or their families, you know, will help them make sure their smoke detectors are working.

We recommend once a month testing it.

Having a home escape plan.

Okay.

Two ways out of every room.

Sleeping with your door closed is another important factor, because it cuts off.

It gives you some extra time.

If you're in your bedroom, that fire and smoke's not going to be able to get into your bedroom.

Okay, I'm going to ask you an important question here, because I know a lot of people can relate because I'm thinking about my own home.

I have a second story.

If I close the bedroom door, there is no way to get out other than a window.

Okay.

They.

How do I get out?

How do you get out?

Okay.

That's a safely.

The best thing is, there are fire escape ladders there, and you can buy them at your local Home Depot, Walmart, whatever.

The hang over the windowsill, and they drop out.

So you just keep that, maybe under the bed or keep it.

Well, I wouldn't say keep it under the bed.

I'd keep it close to the window that you're going to use to get out.

Okay.

And, highly recommend when you put that, when you get it, put it out the window, go down on the ground and practice trying to climb up and down it a little bit because it's right against the wall.

It's not like a regular ladder going up and down, but it can save your life.

Absolutely.

If you have mobility issues, though, you can't do that.

No, I mean, that's where, you know, we just keeping the bedroom door closed, smoke detectors and getting alerted sooner.

And that way they can get, 911 call and get the fire department rolling quicker and they can and telling, you know, people where you're located and, you know, the fire department can hopefully get there and make the rescue you you need to have a phone in the bedroom or you need to have your cell phone.

Absolutely needs to be charged.

You should always just make a habit of having a phone so that you can call nine one.

Yeah, absolutely.

For any emergency that may come up, whether it's fire know or law enforcement, you've got that device with you to be able to call and get help.

And I think since we're talking about this, it's important for those of us who have elderly relatives, family members making sure that they, number one, have the smoke detector.

But number two, make sure that those batteries are changed because they may not be thinking about it.

Oh, absolutely.

And, you know, with the mobility issue, they might not be able to reach up and but and it's important that family help out family.

We need to keep our families safe.

I was wondering too, with the 4th of July, there were fireworks issues around the country.

Anything here?

From what?

My understanding of what I've heard, we we didn't have any major issues.

Okay.

Well.

That's good.

That escape plan that you just mentioned at home, we should also have an escape plan if we're at work.

Correct.

And that's required that every work building any commercial building has a, escape plan drawn out.

Okay, because some small businesses may not.

Right.

Depending on the on the business.

What what should they do?

They should draw them one out.

They should make make draw out their building, you know, get some graph paper, draw it out and, you know, two ways out.

Okay.

All right.

Eddie Anderson, thank you so much.

Well, thank you very much.

This information will save a life.

Yes, ma'am.

Hopefully more.

More life.

Yes, ma'am.

We're we're hoping for that.

Okay.

Thank you so much.

Thank you very much.

And that's going to do it for us.

Thank you for joining us for Arkansas Week on down to Route.

Take care everybody.

Support for Arkansas Week provided by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Arkansas Times, and Little Rock Public Radio.