- Gavin Wong from Singapore International School uses his command of the language to communicate ideas about technology and fairness
- Student is focused on bias within the system and ensuring it is used ethically
Gavin Wong is interested in how artificial intelligence intersects with criminal justice. Photo: HandoutGavin Wong, a 17-year-old student at Singapore International School (Hong Kong), combines his command of English with a deep fascination for technology, specifically in the realm of explainable artificial intelligence (AI) in criminal justice.
Gavin was recently named the second runner-up in the Linguist – English category at the South China Morning Post’s Student of the Year awards. The competition is organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Gavin’s exceptional English proficiency enables him to advocate for advancements in AI. “Language is fundamental to being able to communicate these ideas effectively,” he said.
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Gavin’s journey into AI began with personal projects: “I’ve tried building AI to play games such as Nim and Minesweeper, and what fascinated me the most was AI’s ability to self-learn,” he explained.
This curiosity expanded as he explored AI’s applications in more significant fields, such as criminal justice, where the stakes are much higher. He is particularly concerned with the fairness of these systems: “My main motivation for studying explainable AI in criminal justice is to address the need for transparency and interpretability of AI systems – especially when their decisions can have direct and severe consequences on the lives of individuals.”
In his research, Wong has focused on practical applications and potential biases within AI systems. “AI models are trained on data – yet when our current data is filled with bias, AI models pick up on these discriminatory patterns and end up perpetuating these social inequalities,” he said. His work aims to uncover and mitigate these biases, making AI decision-making more transparent and just.
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Gavin also highlighted the importance of explainability in AI as crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring fairness: “Explainability is about understanding how AI ‘thinks’ and ‘works,’ and being able to provide reasons for an AI decision,” he said. This understanding is vital for those developing AI and the public, ensuring that AI systems are used responsibly and ethically.
Gavin shares his ideas through essays and competitions. His insight has shaped his vision for the future: “As we step into an uncertain future defined by the coexistence of humans and AI, it is important for us as a generation to recognise both the risks and benefits of working with [it].”
Gavin is committed to extending his research and contributing to international efforts in AI governance. His linguistic prowess, combined with his technological insight, makes him a potent advocate for the responsible development of AI, aiming to ensure that principles of fairness and transparency govern these powerful tools.