In the last decades, we have experienced an exponential growth of technologies, however, we are so used to them that we are not aware of their effects. Is technology our ally or enemy? Does it help us to have a better life or does it create even more difficulties? Does it help to improve our quality of life or further accentuate inequalities?

At the end of the 18th century, we had a major technological advance driven by steam engines and soon afterwards by electricity and combustion engines. At this first moment, machines replaced the mechanical work performed by men and animals. Industrialization brought about profound changes, initiating a process of migration of people from the countryside to the city. The pioneering countries in the use of these technologies have managed to greatly increase productivity and have experienced an improvement in living conditions.

In the 70's, we started a new revolution driven this time by the advent of computers and advances in communications, telephony, internet and more recently with the Internet of things, smartphones, advanced use of algorithms and Artificial Intelligence. Unlike the previous revolution, this one does not focus on manual labor, but on intellectual work.

What are the consequences for the countries that have led the use of these technologies? What impacts did they have on productivity, well-being and quality of life? Can we quantify these impacts? What are the implications of these changes for countries that have fallen or are falling behind?

What to expect for the future? In what areas should we experience the greatest benefits from these technologies? What are the impacts on people's work, health, food and sustainability? Can technology help us reduce the impacts we cause on the planet or will it accelerate global warming even more? Will it increase human possibilities or reduce job opportunities? Will it reduce inequalities or create an even greater separation between social classes?

The lecture, Using Artificial Intelligence for a better world, will bring data that help us understand what happened in the past and thereby predict possible scenarios for the future. It will show which areas can benefit the most from the use of technology and the transformations it will promote in our daily lives, work and relationships. Thus, trying to answer whether technology will be our ally or enemy on this journey.