IE School of Humanities hosts the launch of the UNESCO Chair in AI Ethics and Governance

IE School of Humanities yesterday celebrated the official launch of the UNESCO Chair in AI Ethics and Governance, a joint initiative between IE University and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO) to research and reflect on the ethics and regulating the development of AI.

Led by Ted Lechterman, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at IE School of Humanities and holder of the Chair, the event featured talks by international experts and offered networking opportunities. Taking part were Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, and Dafna Feinholz, the organization’s Chief of Bioethics and Ethics of Science and Technology.

This was followed by a panel discussion on AI's Ethical Frontiers moderated by Lechterman, with the participation of Linda Eggert, Early Career Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Oxford; David Leslie, Director of Ethics and Responsible Innovation Research at the Alan Turing Institute; Luz Rello, Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Technology at IE University; and Oliver Smith, Founder and Director of Daedalus Futures.

Lechterman highlighted the problem of "ethicophobia", arguing: "institutions and organizations have been misnaming AI Ethics, using vague and controversial euphemisms such as AI Safety, AI Value Alignment, Responsible AI and Trustworthy AI so as to avoid talking about ethics."

Catalina Tejero, Dean of IE School of Humanities, oversaw the closing of the event, pointing out the work that the school and the UNESCO Chair have ahead of them: 

"The Chair embraces the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence through research, strategic partnerships, education and outreach."