MBZUAI's Executive Program held a module on AI ethics, safety, and societal impacts, led by Professors Tom Mitchell and Justine Cassell. The session covered machine learning bias, privacy, AI's impact on jobs and education, and the ethical use of AI. Forty-two participants from ministerial leadership and top industry executives are part of the first cohort. Why it matters: This highlights MBZUAI and the UAE's commitment to ethical AI development as part of building a knowledge-based economy.
MBZUAI Professor Fakhri Karray delivered a talk on advances in operational AI, highlighting its potential to grow global GDP by 15% by 2025. He discussed AI's impact on IoT, self-driving machines, virtual assistants, and other fields. Karray outlined milestones in AI, achievements in operational AI, future directions, and challenges for safe and beneficial AI. Why it matters: The presentation underscores MBZUAI's role in shaping the discourse around AI's transformative potential and ethical considerations in the region.
MBZUAI President Professor Eric Xing discussed AI's potential to augment human capabilities and the responsibility of AI researchers in shaping future leaders. Xing's background includes professorships at Carnegie Mellon University, leadership at Petuum Inc., and directorship of the Center for Machine Learning and Health. He also held visiting positions at Stanford University and Facebook Inc. Why it matters: The emphasis on responsible AI development and education aligns with the UAE's broader strategy to become a leader in ethical and human-centric AI.
A panel discussion was hosted at MBZUAI in collaboration with the Manara Center for Coexistence and Dialogue. The discussion centered on the potential of multimodal machine intelligence for human-centered applications, particularly in health and wellbeing. USC Professor Shrikanth Narayanan spoke on creating trustworthy and inclusive AI that considers protected variables. Why it matters: This signals MBZUAI's interest in exploring ethical AI development and its applications for societal good, potentially driving research and policy initiatives in the region.
MBZUAI Professor Monojit Choudhury co-authored a study on LLMs and their capacity for moral reasoning, with the study being presented at the 18th Conference of the European Chapter of the Association for Computational Linguistics (EACL) in Malta. The study included contributions from Aditi Khandelwal, Utkarsh Agarwal, and Kumar Tanmay from Microsoft. The research explores AI alignment, ensuring AI systems align with human values, moral principles, and ethical considerations. Why it matters: The study provides insight into LLMs' capabilities regarding complex ethical issues, which is important for guiding the development of AI in a way that is consistent with human values.
MBZUAI is hosting the AI for the Global South (AI4GS) workshop in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi Abu Dhabi. The workshop aims to address the underrepresentation of the Global South in AI development and ensure AI benefits everyone. It brings together researchers from diverse disciplines and geographies, including representatives from NGOs, technology companies like Microsoft, Google, Cohere, and G42, and startups. Why it matters: The initiative promotes inclusive AI development, ensuring that AI tools and research consider the needs and contexts of underrepresented regions.
MBZUAI's President Eric Xing compares the current state of AI to the early stages of physics and chemistry, emphasizing the university's role in shaping the future of AI. He stresses the importance of addressing societal concerns and ensuring AI's trustworthiness, safety, and responsibility, advocating for AI researchers to engage with the community and uphold scientific principles. MBZUAI aims to foster a culture of innovation and contribute to the transparent and socially minded development of AI. Why it matters: This underscores the UAE's strategic focus on responsible AI development, positioning MBZUAI as a key player in guiding the ethical and societal implications of AI on a global scale.
A survey of 92 library and information science (LIS) professionals in the UAE reveals strong cognitive AI competencies but gaps in behavioral and normative competencies related to AI biases and ethics. The study identifies a disconnect between the perceived importance of AI skills and the effectiveness of current training programs. It recommends that library training programs address AI ethics and biases.