Larry Ellison, Oracle’s chairman and technology chief, discussed Oracle’s AI opportunities at the Oracle OpenWorld conference in San Francisco on September 16, 2019. Every tech company is focusing on AI, and Oracle is no different. During an earnings call in March, Ellison highlighted a future market opportunity centered around governments, which investors may not typically consider compared to Fortune 500 companies.
Ellison foresees national and state government applications being operated on platforms like Oracle Cloud Infrastructure to a greater extent in the future, and he mentioned that progress is already underway in various ways. He spoke about securing business with countries in addition to companies, with negotiations for sovereign regions with national governments ongoing in several places.
Ellison believes that every government will eventually seek a sovereign cloud and a dedicated region for their operations. Oracle, collaborating with Nvidia and Microsoft on generative AI capabilities, has already helped countries use cloud technology to simplify bureaucratic processes. For example, Albania aims to align with European Union regulations with the help of generative AI.
This move towards cloud services and AI solutions can make governments more efficient in various areas including disaster recovery, healthcare, and internet access projects. Oracle’s partnerships with companies like Elon Musk’s Starlink are also helping countries with activities like mapping rural farms to optimize agriculture output. Although there are concerns about data security and potential risks associated with using generative AI systems, the potential benefits of moving governmental processes to the cloud are significant in terms of efficiency and transparency.
Larry Ellison, Oracle’s chairman and technology chief, spoke at the Oracle OpenWorld conference in September 2019, highlighting the potential for national governments to deploy Oracle Cloud Infrastructure for various applications. Ellison emphasized the increasing importance of sovereign clouds for governments, with many countries opting for dedicated cloud regions. He cited examples of countries like Albania using generative AI to harmonize laws with the European Union, significantly reducing the time needed for compliance.
Ellison’s vision includes leveraging cloud technology and AI to enhance government services, increase efficiency, and improve access to essential services like healthcare and internet connectivity. For instance, Oracle is collaborating with partners like Nvidia and Starlink to implement innovative solutions in areas like agriculture, education, and healthcare. Ellison sees this as the future of national applications, with AI enabling predictive analysis and optimization of various government processes.
However, skeptics have raised concerns about the potential risks associated with moving sensitive government processes to the cloud and relying on generative AI systems. Issues such as data security, privacy, and governance remain critical considerations, especially when dealing with newly developed technologies. The “Black Mirror” analogy suggests a cautionary tale of the darker side of technology, where AI could be exploited for malicious purposes, leading to data breaches and cyber threats.
While the benefits of cloud and AI applications in government services are evident, experts warn against overlooking the inherent risks and challenges. The need for robust oversight, control, and security measures is essential to ensure the responsible deployment of these technologies in critical government functions. As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial for governments to strike a balance between innovation and risk mitigation to harness the full potential of AI in public services.
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