UA Little Rock Downtown to Host AI Ethics Panel Discussion Oct. 9
UA Little Rock Downtown will host an interdisciplinary panel discussion on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9.
The event, titled “The Ethics of AI,” is free and open to the public. The panel will bring together experts from computer science, philosophy, history, and information science to explore questions at the heart of today’s AI revolution: What does it mean to use AI ethically? What concerns does the rapid proliferation of AI pose? And what is at risk if society ignores the ethical challenges tied to artificial intelligence?
The panelists include Dr. Jonathan Bona, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; Dr. Megan Fritts Cabrera, assistant professor of philosophy at UA Little Rock; Dr. Kristin Mann, professor of history at UA Little Rock and coordinator of the Secondary Social Studies Education program; and Dale Rutherford, a Ph.D. candidate in information science at UA Little Rock and researcher with the Center for Ethical AI. Dr. Marta Cieslak, director of UA Little Rock Downtown, will serve as moderator.
Each panelist brings a unique perspective to the discussion. Bona has researched AI for nearly two decades, applying artificial intelligence techniques to medicine, biology, and health. Cabrera specializes in technology ethics, with current work focused on how emerging technologies threaten to undermine essential conditions for human flourishing. Mann is examining how AI is reshaping the teaching of history and social studies in K-12 and higher education. Rutherford, whose research focuses on the ethical integration of AI, works with companies through the Center for Ethical AI to help them adopt AI responsibly.
“The rapid proliferation of AI poses great ethical concerns, including security and privacy of data, manipulation of users, and environmental costs,” Cieslak said. “We won’t answer all the questions, but we hope that by bringing together experts representing various disciplines we can open an important community conversation. If you are wondering about what it means to use AI ethically or whether that’s even possible, this panel is for you. And if you have never thought about the ethical implications of AI development, then you should definitely join us on Oct. 9.”
The panel will be held at UA Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave. For more information, email [email protected].