The University of Glasgow is set to host a gathering of leading experts in the UK's artificial intelligence (AI) community at the upcoming Lovelace-Hodgkin Symposium. This three-day event, scheduled from October 2nd to October 4th, will take place at the Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre within the university’s premises.
The symposium is designed to address the intricate ethical challenges associated with AI. Participants will include distinguished academics, researchers, and policymakers from renowned organisations such as the Alan Turing Institute, the Scottish AI Alliance, the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, and the European Network Against Racism. Notably, the symposium will culminate with a keynote address by Clare Adamson MSP.
The event is strategically structured into three thematic days. The opening day will concentrate on the current state of AI, particularly within the domain of higher education. A highlight includes a panel discussion on AI applications in research and teaching, featuring perspectives from senior university figures and students alike.
On the second day, the focus will shift to addressing the issues of inequality and bias in AI. The discussions planned will cover diverse topics such as AI's impact on race and gender, environmental considerations, children's rights, and the ways in which AI is communicated and consumed by the public.
The final day is dedicated to the development of an ethical framework for inclusive AI. Participants will collaborate to outline actionable steps and establish priorities for academic institutions. These contributions will play a crucial role in shaping a future online course on AI ethics, aimed at equipping undergraduate students with critical skills to evaluate the development, consumption, and communication of AI.
This symposium is organised with the support of the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Data Science & AI, which was inaugurated in September of the previous year. Professor Ana Basiri, the Centre’s director, emphasised the importance of the event, stating, “Together, we will examine the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence from a wide range of perspectives, amplifying voices from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Ethical implications of AI will be central to our discussions, aligning with the Scottish Government’s commitment to provide inclusive, trustworthy, and equitable AI for its citizens.”
The Lovelace-Hodgkin Symposium was conceived in response to the growing need for ethical literacy in emerging technologies. The Centre for Data Science & AI, which supports the event, aims to address global challenges by bridging opportunity gaps and identifying growth areas in research agendas, in line with government strategies such as the Scottish Government’s AI Strategy.
This significant event underscores the University of Glasgow's commitment to advancing discussion and education around the ethical dimensions of AI, preparing future leaders to navigate the complexities of this rapidly evolving field.
Source: Noah Wire Services