Strathmore University Business School had the honor of hosting the second global assembly of the esteemed Global Alliance on Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (GAEAI) on September 14th, 2023. This landmark event signifies a significant milestone in our collective journey towards understanding the critical role of integrity in the era of interconnected technologies.
A central theme of discussion revolved around the urgent task of effectively managing the risks and rewards associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies. Throughout these deliberations, one key realization became abundantly clear: integrity stands as the linchpin in any business, academic institution, or domain where interconnectedness plays a pivotal role.
To comprehend the intricacies and risks involved in this digital era, one must embrace diversity and recognize its profound impact on the challenges at hand. Fostering a culture of ethical awareness within organizations necessitates collaborative efforts and the cultivation of expertise to gain deeper insights. Notably, GAEAI has forged robust partnerships with various schools at Strathmore University, including the School of Engineering, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the prestigious Business School. The choice of Strathmore Business School as the venue for GAEAI’s second global gathering speaks to the well-nurtured relationship and the formidable network we have built together.
Bridging the gap between industry and academia demands a shared understanding and effective management of the ethical implications associated with emerging technologies. By embracing responsible digital leadership, industries can better serve the interests and safety of their internal and external stakeholders while staying attuned to ever-evolving regulations. The industry stands to gain immensely from incorporating diverse perspectives and voices, thereby enhancing their ability to cater to the needs of stakeholders. Similarly, academia flourishes when disciplinary boundaries are dissolved, allowing for the harnessing of vast reservoirs of knowledge across diverse fields of scholarship and expertise. Grounded in the realities of industry, academia can effectively engage with the public and foster innovation and learning.
The fruitful outcomes of this symbiotic relationship between industry and academia are evident in various forms, including the creation of a Dilemma Library, research papers, thought-provoking blogs and podcasts, engaging conferences and workshops, comprehensive training platforms, and invaluable strategic insights. Notably, these activities encompass globally inclusive interdisciplinary challenge-based design sprints, real-time research on business impact and risk, and global ethical risk and benefit assessments.
To promote breakthrough innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors aimed at addressing significant societal challenges, Strathmore University has introduced the $10 Challenge, supported by esteemed mentors and venture capitalists from Silicon Valley. This initiative focuses on critical issues such as Climate Change, Poverty, Health, and Education, serving as the driving force behind our collaborative efforts, effectively linking innovative systems.
Responsible digital leadership within the financial sector necessitates a profound understanding of the Case Dilemma Learning Platform/Game. This platform provides accessible information and learning on pertinent topics, including sustainable finance, human rights, technology, financial use-cases, and ethics. It serves as a data gathering and findings description tool, incorporating design thinking strategies and interdisciplinary mixed methods research approaches.
Let us now delve into the Case Dilemma Template, consisting of two essential components: the Exploratory Part and the Solution-Oriented Part.
The Exploratory Part serves to describe the case dilemma comprehensively, exploring, for instance, how a bank or insurance company endeavors to harness technology and for what purpose. It provides insights into the specific technologies employed, such as facial recognition systems and blockchain, elucidating their applications and addressing privacy concerns. Furthermore, it outlines the groups of individuals impacted by these technologies, posing essential questions: What ethical dilemmas arise? What content is involved? Which technologies or types of data usage are implicated? What are the potential applications, and who stands at risk?
The Solution-Oriented Part succinctly presents possible mitigation strategies or solutions relevant to resolving the identified predicament. This section explores the controls that can safeguard the interests of stakeholders, elucidating the circumstances under which they may be deemed acceptable or permissible. Additionally, it highlights any observations made throughout the process and concludes with remarks on the overall work conducted in the case, including any personal opinions that may arise.
Your meticulous attention to detail and thoughtful approach to this endeavor are of paramount importance, as the outcomes hold profound implications for our ethical engagement with artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
The Global Alliance for Ethics and Impact of Artificial Intelligence (GAEIA) is a unique global platform connecting academia and industry in tackling some of the most important challenges facing humanity. GAEIA’s platform enables a global, inclusive dialogue about the risks and benefits of AI and advanced technologies, while developing guidelines and learning platforms for acting responsibly with data and new technologies.
The global conversation is situated within the global GAEIA project launched from the Center for Human Rights and International Justice at Stanford University in March 2021. During the past two years, in collaboration with industry leaders, over 100 Ph.D. and advanced level scholars from over 25 countries have worked in cross-disciplinary teams to study ethical risks & dilemmas associated with technology use.
Article by Zeinab Mustafa
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