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15/04/2019

In partnership with research agencies from Canada and France, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has launched a series of international workshops examining the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on society.

The workshops jointly funded by UKRI, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), will examine the ethical, policy and legal implications of AI.

The first workshop is being organised by The Alan Turing Institute in London in June, and a further seven workshops will then take place to June 2020 across all three countries.

They will bring together perspectives from the social sciences, humanities, law, engineering and computer science as well as policy, business and civil society. The interdisciplinary and intersectoral groups will explore how AI will impact different populations and sectors.

Administered and managed by CIFAR with support from CNRS and UKRI, the workshops explore the global implications of AI on a range of topics - from future conflicts in the Arctic and societal trust in AI systems to how AI may impact the practice of medicine. Each workshop is required to produce a non-technical publication with insights for policy-makers in the public and private sectors as well as the public. The eight workshops were carefully selected after a three-month adjudication process. Each workshop will receive up to CAD$50,000 for a total combined commitment of CAD$400,000 from all three organizations for this joint call.

UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport, said: “The potential of artificial intelligence is reaching all areas of society and business, so it is crucial that we give due consideration to the social and ethical implications of their greater use.

“The workshops announced today, in partnership with CIFAR and CNRS, will make an important contribution to exploring the impact of artificial intelligence, and generate insights that will inform policy, business and the public.”

Dr. Alan Bernstein, CEO & President of CIFAR, said: “The strength of these workshops is their interdisciplinary, international and cross-sectoral perspectives.

“AI is being adopted around the world. It’s critical that we develop new ways to understand what the implications are across populations, sectors and disciplines. CIFAR is thrilled to partner with France and the UK to advance understanding on AI in society.”

Antoine Petit, Chairman and Chief Executive of the CNRS, said: “It is essential to strive to analyse and better understand the potential ethical, social, legal or economic repercussions of artificial intelligence. The CNRS is happy to join forces with the CIFAR and UKRI to contribute to the reflection around these issues.”

The full list of workshops and proposal teams is available here.