Risk or reward? That was the question on everyone’s mind today. And if you’re in government, the public sector, or shaping policy, this is no longer a theoretical debate. It’s urgent. Because AI is not coming, it’s here.
Welcome back to The Harvard AI Diaries, Day 3. I’m here at the Harvard Kennedy School, diving deep into Leading in Artificial Intelligence: AI and Public Policy. We’ve passed the halfway point of the programme, and today’s theme? AI risk versus reward.
We spent the bulk of the day exploring what risk actually means when it comes to artificial intelligence. Not just as a concept, but as a practical, strategic, and moral consideration.
The discussions were wide-ranging. We tackled:
– The risks of misaligned models and autonomous agents
– The danger of over-reliance, with humans stepping back just when they’re most needed
– The role of malicious actors—yes, that existential threat still looms large
– The environmental toll of large-scale AI systems
– And crucially, the future of jobs and critical thinking in the next generation
But for every risk raised, we explored an equal – and sometimes greater – opportunity. Think: improved public services, greater productivity, new tools for creativity and connection.
One standout session asked us to reframe risk not as a reason for inertia, but as a driver for action. What does risk look like in your organisation? What blind spots do your clients have? And what mitigation strategies are actually open to you?
What struck me most today is this: Risk is not a reason to say no to AI. Risk is the reason to get serious. It’s the reason to skill up. To ask better questions. To use every lever we have—policy, procurement, governance, training.
It’s also clear that risk isn’t binary. There’s a risk in using AI. But there’s also a risk in not using it. In becoming irrelevant. In lagging behind while others lead.
The real work is in making sure we embed the right kind of oversight, transparency, and accountability, right from the start.
We ended the day building our own AI Assistant – and we will present it to the class on our last day.
So, that’s Day 3: a full-on immersion into the messy, necessary, and nuanced world of AI risk and reward.
Tomorrow we will go again. Same energy, new ideas.
Until then, stay curious. Stay questioning. And keep asking yourself, not if AI, but how.
This has been The Harvard AI Diaries, from AI Six.
About the Podcast Host
Joanne Sweeney is a specialist in public-sector marketing and digital communications. She’s the author of Public Sector Marketing Pro and the creator of the Professional Diploma in AI for Public Sector Marketing. With years of experience in training, consulting, and advocating for digital transformation, Joanne provides insight and guidance for government agencies navigating the digital landscape. She is also the host of the award-winning Public Sector Marketing Show podcast.
