Is Artificial Intelligence Advancing the Public Good?

Giorgio Baruchello, Professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Akureyri, was among the speakers at a conference on artificial intelligence held at the Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo, Sicily, at the end of July.

Giorgio took part in an interdisciplinary discussion alongside academics and experts in engineering, law, criminology, psychiatry, and psychology.

Ethics at the Forefront

The conference was entitled Imagining the Future – Artificial Intelligence at the Service of People, Justice, and the Community. It explored how artificial intelligence and other technological innovations can be used to benefit the public, public institutions, and the justice system. Particular attention was given to community-focused projects developed in the town of Carini in Sicily.

The conference took place in the Pio La Torre Hall at the Palazzo dei Normanni, home to the Sicilian Regional Assembly. The conference was addressed by Mario Giambona, Deputy Chair of the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group in the Regional Assembly, and Fabio Giamporcaro, a lawyer and executive director.

The conference highlighted the many opportunities offered by artificial intelligence while also emphasizing the importance of ensuring that its development and use are guided by ethical principles, human rights, and the interests of individuals. Such an approach is essential if artificial intelligence is truly to contribute to progress for the benefit of society.

The Importance of an Interdisciplinary Approach

Giorgio is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Akureyri. His areas of expertise include political philosophy, applied ethics, value theory, rhetoric, and business ethics. He has written numerous books, academic articles, and book chapters on philosophy, society, politics, economics, and ethics. His participation in the conference reflects the importance of philosophical and ethical discussion alongside the rapid development of artificial intelligence.

Giorgio maintains a blog, which can be accessed by clicking here.

A short video from the conference, featuring brief interviews with participants, is available here. The video is in Italian.