Artificial Intelligence for Social Betterment: Bob Suh

PodcastFebruary 12, 2021
Figures holding framed art, which includes smaller versions of the same scene, stand against an orange, red, and green abstract landscape with birds. A figure observes, saying "Wow, So Recursive."
“

I believe we’re social animals, and with some exceptions, we tend to govern ourselves with mores and behaviors that help the entire group. And, I think that, again, this comes back to AI can help that, or it can hurt that. It could exploit the arbitrage and information or reality, or it can guide behavioral patterns more toward the common good, if you will.

Listen to this episode

spotify button background imagespotify button background image

Intro

From the proliferation of social comparisons to growing political extremism, the negative effects that technology has on our societal fabric are evident. But can we create a future that looks different? One in which technology has our backs, and our best interests at heart?

On this episode of The Decision Corner, our host Brooke Struck is joined by Bob Suh, founder and CEO of OnCorps. OnCorps is an American company dedicated to elevating workplace performance outcomes through the use of artificial intelligence. By applying predictable algorithms to a variety of decisions and tasks, OnCorps reduces work, errors, and risk within the financial service industry. The organization provides cutting-edge solutions to an array of companies, with advisors from Yale, Harvard, and Oxford. Their innovative algorithms earned them the 2019 NOVA Award by NICSA and the 2019 Fintech Breakthrough Award for best banking infrastructure software.

Bob Suh has also written for the Harvard Business Review about how efficient use of AI can lead to better decision making and forecasting. Find his work here.

In this episode, Brooke and Bob discuss:

  • The foundational behavioral science that applies to AI
  • How the emotional intelligence of humans can be harnessed to benefit technology
  • How our strong grip on data analytics can influence behavior that is inconsistent with truth and authenticity, as well as a saturation of advertising
  • How we can mitigate some of these problems to use technology for positive choice architecture
  • The monetization of current and future social platforms, and how it is changing
  • The future of social and technological innovation: how technology is moving toward positive social outcomes

About the Guest

A headshot-style image of a man with short black hair. He is wearing eyeglasses.

Bob Suh

Bob is the founder and CEO of OnCorps. He has published behavioral economics articles in Harvard Business Review and the Financial Times. Prior to OnCorps, Bob was the chief technology strategist at Accenture and chief strategy officer for the firm's technology division. He was named by Consulting Magazine to the Top 25 Consultants list. Bob was also a group president of Perot Systems, where he helped take the company public. Bob received his master's, concentration in political economy, from Harvard University, where he was class advisor and research assistant to the 2005 Nobel Laureate in economics. He received his bachelor's from the University of Southern California.

About the Interviewer

A man in a blue suit and red tie smiles while standing indoors, surrounded by office plants.

Dr. Brooke Struck

Dr. Brooke Struck is the Research Director at The Decision Lab. He is an internationally recognized voice in applied behavioural science, representing TDL’s work in outlets such as Forbes, Vox, Huffington Post and Bloomberg, as well as Canadian venues such as the Globe & Mail, CBC and Global Media. Dr. Struck hosts TDL’s podcast “The Decision Corner” and speaks regularly to practicing professionals in industries from finance to health & wellbeing to tech & AI.

Listen to next

A stick figure holding a treasure map receives a "No..." response from a large, polka-dotted creature under a bright sun in a hilly landscape. There's a bag with a dollar sign. Text: "VERSUS THE MACHINES."
Podcast

Run for the Cure: Kelley Keehn

On this episode of The Decision Corner, Kelley Keehn joins Brooke to talk about COVID-19 and personal finances in a changing world.

Notes illustration

Eager to learn about how behavioral science can help your organization?

Contact us