Keeping a tight rein on AI

Microsoft Ireland boss Cathriona Hallahan is not worried about terminator-style robots taking over the world, but she is still calling for greater regulation of AI, writes Emmet Ryan

Cathriona Hallahan, managing director, Microsoft Ireland: ‘If people have a fear of technology and don’t trust it, there’s going to be slower adoption’ Fergal Phillips

Pretty much any conversation about the ethics of artificial intelligence eventually reaches the same point: should we be afraid of terminators?

Cathriona Hallahan has spent 32 years with Microsoft, and five in her current role as managing director of Microsoft Ireland. Terminators aren’t top of the agenda for her but she understands why a lot of people are worried about them.

“There are a lot of things that machines can do but it’s ...