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IFAP triggered debates on Generative AI Regulation at IGF 2023
On 12 October 2023, the UNESCO Information for All Programme (IFAP) Working Group on Information Ethics, chaired by Dr. Prof. Yves Poullet, organized an insightful session at the 18th in Kyoto, Japan. The session, titled "", explored the continuously evolving domain of Generative AI and its alignment with the ethical guidelines established by UNESCO.
"Generative AI is redefining boundaries, and with it, our understanding of ethics in the digital age.", said Gabriela RAMOS, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences.
Generative AI: Advancements and Ethical Considerations
Innovations like LLaMA, LaMDA, GPT-4, and PaLM 2 stand at the forefront of technology, presenting both possibilities and challenges in areas such as healthcare, artistic creation, and education. Their rise underscores the need for a global ethical discourse.
"In line with IFAP's Strategic Plan for 2023-2029, we aim for a digital future where AI advancements ethically, legally, and inclusively benefit everyone, especially our marginalized communities.", stated Marielza Oliveira, Director of the UNESCO Communications and Information Sector's Division for Digital Inclusion, Policies and Transformation and the IFAP Secretary.
The session’s moderator, Yves Poullet, introduced the audience to Generative AI's vast potential and inherent risks. Echoing this sentiment, Dawit Bekele, Regional Vice President for Africa, Internet Society, discussed the applications of Generative AI and its societal challenges, noting the inherent trust people place in online content and the potential pitfalls thereof.
Changfeng Chen, Tsinghua University of China, introduced attendees to the concept of "cultural lag", illustrating the phenomenon where technology advancement outpaces societal norms and regulations. While advocating for a prudent regulatory approach, Changfeng Chen showcased China's proactive steps on the matter. In 2022, China released an , marking a significant step in the regulation of this new technology.
Stefaan Verhulst, Co-Founder of the Governance Laboratory (The GovLab) at New York University spoke about the importance of open data and open science to counter digital asymmetries. Aligning with UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, he emphasized a cooperative regulatory framework, praising the initiatives by cities that allow their citizens to be active contributors to AI conversations.
Steven Vosloo, Digital Policy Specialist, UNICEF, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Generative AI's impact on children's holistic development. He urged for in-depth research on these potential effects, emphasizing the urgency to safeguard youth even as the full ramifications of AI technologies remain to be discerned.
Socio-economic Impacts and Recommendations
Siva Prasad, representative of Civil Society in the Asia-Pacific region, discussed the digital divide, noting that marginalized communities are often overlooked when profit is the main focus of technological advancement. He stressed the need for locally-rooted solutions, supported by global and national funding, especially in the educational sector where Generative AI holds significant influence.
Fabio Senne, ICT Project Coordinator at the Regional Center for Studies on the Development of the Information Society (), spoke on AI's socio-economic repercussions, highlighting existing digital disparities. Citing Brazil as a case study, he emphasized that AI content should not only be in Portuguese but also include its 200+ indigenous languages to ensure genuine inclusivity and representation.
Representative of the global youth in the audience, Omor Faruque, a 17-year-old from Bangladesh, founder and President of Project OMNA (Optimizing Mental well-being and Nurturing child rights Awareness), proposed establishing clear ethical guidelines for AI models and ensuring youth input; creating a transparent public registry detailing model specific; implementing public oversight mechanisms for enhanced accountability and promoting digital literacy to empower the younger generation.
The Session closed with a common intent by the IFAP community to continue advancing research and policy debated on this impact technology, as a key element of its mandate to build inclusive Knowledge Societies.
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