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Dalith Steiger, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SwissCognitive, is convinced that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can expand human capabilities. She believes Switzerland could be among the global leaders in the field; however, this would require a cultural shift.
Credit: This interview by Lukas Leuzinger with Dalith Steiger-Gablinger has been published in German as “Ich bin viel intelligenter geworden durch KI”
There are different forms of intelligence, says Steiger. “I have high cognitive and emotional intelligence. By contrast, I consider my intellectual intelligence to be average. I can read or hear something and find it super interesting, but I have trouble remembering and reproducing it. Funnily enough, especially numbers.”
Two forms of intelligence are crucial for entrepreneurial success. First, emotional intelligence. “Ultimately, you have to be able to reach people and convince them: investors, customers, or employees.” The other is what she refers to as “street smarts.” “No one needs to have a degree to run a company. What’s needed is life experience and common sense,” says Steiger. Beyond that, qualities are needed that have nothing to do with intelligence, such as belief in oneself, commitment, flexibility, and, above all, visionary thinking.
The algorithm holds up a mirror to us
As co-founder of SwissCognitive, the 53-year-old thinks a lot about the relationship between human and Artificial Intelligence. She isn’t entirely happy with the latter term. “The word ‘artificial’ implies that it is a copy of something human. But it’s not about copying the human brain.” On the contrary, AI creates new things and – if used correctly – makes it possible to massively expand human capabilities, Steiger emphasises. “I have become much more intelligent through AI.” By interacting with the algorithm, she can develop new ideas much faster. “For example, I propose something and ask the algorithm if I’ve forgotten anything.” AI can also help break with basic assumptions and discover entirely new combinations. That holds potential, for example, for the development of new medicines or materials.
At the same time, AI forces us to take responsibility. “If the machine is fed data from humans, it also adopts the prejudices and distortions contained in that data. But that also gives us the opportunity to recognise and combat these prejudices and distortions.” For instance, when it comes to the representation of women in technical professions. “AI holds up a mirror to us. It forces us to think about what we are doing.”
Pride instead of envy of the successful
Dalith Steiger is convinced that Switzerland could take on a global leadership role in combining human and machine intelligence. “We have what it takes to become a global AI boutique.” Specifically, Switzerland has intelligent, well-educated people, a robust infrastructure, common sense, and social consensus. This is one of the reasons why there are so many successful SMEs here.
What is lacking is the willingness to invest, says Steiger. “We need to move from a culture of inheritance to a culture of investment.” She also diagnoses a certain reluctance to seize opportunities and try new things. “We don’t always have to be the first mover, but at least the second one.”
The widespread culture of envy also does not help the desire to experiment. “Instead of being proud of entrepreneurs who have created something, people often begrudge them their success.”
Der Beitrag “AI Has Made Me Smarter” – Dalith Steiger Interview erschien zuerst auf SwissCognitive | AI Ventures, Advisory & Research.
