OSAI

Workshop

Workshop Title: The Culture of Trustworthy AI. Public debate, education, practical learning | Download the Poster
Date: 2-3 September 2021
Location: Venice - Island of San Servolo (Venice International University) | How to reach San Servolo
Format: In-person and online sessions
Registration: Send an email with your name, surname and affiliation to  osai@unive.it 

See the program here   |   Watch the live streaming on the ECLT YouTube Channel

In the last few years, the European Union has made important steps towards a responsible and sustainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation. In 2019, the High-Level Expert Group delivered the Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI and, even more recently, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation to address different AI risk levels. However, these initiatives do not, alone, ensure Trustworthy AI. Besides rules and principles, “Trustworthy AI requires us  to build and maintain an ethical culture and mind-set through public debate, education and practical learning.” (HLEG, 2019). 

The development of a Trustworthy AI culture poses several challenges to the whole AI ecosystem. A first issue regards how to create meaningful discussions involving different experts but also citizens and people with limited knowledge about AI and its wider implications (public debate). A second problem connects to the equipment needed to help future generations cope with the social and economic changes generated by AI and data-intensive applications (education). Finally, a third important issue relates to the capacity of AI actors to become familiar with principles, rules and the plethora of methodologies supporting ethical, legal and robust AI (practical learning). 

This workshop will try to explore how we can get closer to a Trustworthy AI culture sharing investigations and good practices moving along the trajectories suggested by Trustworthy AI guidelines: public debate, education and practical learning. The event is part of the AI4EU project and will give the opportunity to share the results achieved by the AI4EU working groups on Ethical, Legal, Social, Economic and Cultural issues of AI (ELSEC AI). Launched at the end of 2020, working groups are semi-organised groups bringing together people from different backgrounds and sectors to collaborate on ELSEC AI with a genuine multidisciplinary spirit. 

The workshop will host a mix of invited and contributed presentations, as well as panel discussions, and is open to scholars and practitioners working on Trustworthy and Responsible AI. The event will take place in Venice (Italy) and streamed online to allow remote participation. Registration is free of charge. More details about the workshop location and the program will be announced soon. If you would like to receive further information about the event please email  osai@unive.it 

Organizers

Teresa Scantamburlo (Ca'Foscari University)
Francesca Foffano (Ca'Foscari University)
Atia Cortés (Barcelona Supercomputing Center)
Cristian Barrué (Polytechnic University of Catalonia)
Andrea Aler Tubella (Umeå University)

Program

Thursday 2 September 2021: "Public debate" 

8:30 Waterbus (20) from San Zaccaria (platf. B) to San Servolo (only for in person attendees)

9:00 Welcome addresses: Achille Giacometti (Ca’ Foscari University, ECLT), Marcello Pelillo (Ca’ Foscari University, DAIS) and Ulises Cortès (Polytechnic University of Catalonia, AI4EU)

9:30 Keynote talk:  “Defining AI for purposes of ethics and legal regulations”, Luc Steels (Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice) [Abstract]

10:15 The AI4EU Observatory and Working Groups, Atia Cortès (Barcelona Supercomputing Center) and Teresa Scantamburlo (Ca' Foscari University of Venice, ECLT) [Slides]

10:30 "A Survey on AI and Ethics. Key factors in building AI trust and awareness across European citizens.” AI4EU Working Group on Social Awareness [Abstract] [Slides]

11:00 Coffee break

11:30 Panel discussion: “Challenges for ethical and legal AI in Europe”
Chair: Atia Cortés (Barcelona Supercomputing Center)
Speakers: Yiannis Kompatsiaris (AI4Media), Fredrik Heintz (Tailor), Paul Lukowicz (Humane-AI net), Michela Milano (StairwAI), Ulises Cortés (AI4EU)

12:45 End of the morning session & Lunch Break

14:15 Keynote talk: "Defining AI systems from the perspective of law and the rule of law", Mireille Hildebrandt (VUB - Vrije Universiteit Brussel) [Abstract]

15:00 Panel discussion: “AI governance from a worldwide perspective”
Chair: Ulises Cortés (AI4EU, Polytechnic University of Catalonia)
Speakers: Teki Akuetteh Falconer (African Digital Rights Hub), Sofia Kypraiou (<A+> Alliance for Inclusive Algorithm), Peggy Valcke (KU Leuven) and César Rosales (International Consultant on AI, fAIr LAC)

16:15 Coffee break

16:45 -18:00 Contributed talk

  • 16:45 “AI in the media sector: snapshot of legal and ethical trends” Noémie Krack and Emine Ozge Yildirim (KU Leuven) [Abstract][Slides]

  • 17:05  “Potential Risks of DTs in public sector” Sara Mancini (PwC), Sven-Ove Hasson (Karolinska institutet, University in Solna), Carolina Beniamina Rutta, Noemi Luna Carmeno and Giovanna Galasso  (Intellera Consulting), Barbro Fröding (KTH Royal Institute of Technology, University in Stockholm) [Abstract][Slides]
  • 17:25 "Developing a Trustworthy AI culture in Scientific Research”, Chiara Gallese (Eindhoven University of Technology) [Abstract]

  • 17:45 Q&A time

18:00 End of the afternoon session

19:30 Promotional activity and dinner at the Hotel Savoia & Jolanda

Friday 3 September 2021: "Education and Practical Learning"

8:30 Waterbus (20) from San Zaccaria (platf. B) to San Servolo (only for in person attendees)

9:00 Keynote talk: "Trustworthy AI From Principles to Practice: Design And Education", Raja Chatila (Sorbonne University) [Abstract]

9:45-11:00 Contributed talks: 

  • 9:45 “Another ingredient for good AI practices”, Evert Stamhuis (Erasmus University Rotterdam) [Abstract][Slides]

  • 10:05  “Safe and Robust Autonomous Decision Making with AI”, Haitham Bou Ammar and Xin Chen (Huawei) [Abstract]

  • 10:25 “Amplifying positive bias: a case for positive biases in children-AI relations” Karolina La Fors (University of Twente) [Abstract][Slides]

  • 10:45 Q&A time

11:00 Coffee break 

11:30 “Applying European Ethics Guidelines & Recommendations for AI." Two case studies: Autonomous Driving [Abstract] [Slides] and Fintech [Abstract] [Slides], AI4EU Working Group on Piloting Trustworthy AI 

12:30 “A questionnaire to consult European experts on Trustworthy AI”, AI4EU Working Group on Piloting Trustworthy AI [Abstract][Slides]

12:45 End of the morning session & Lunch Break

14.15 “Compiling AI Ethics courses across Higher Education in the EU”, AI4EU Working Group on AI Ethics Education [Abstract][Slides]

14:30-15:45 Contributed talks: 

  • 14:30 “<AI & Equality> A Human Rights Toolbox” Sofia Kypraiou (EPFL), Caitlin Kraft-Buchman (Women At The Table) and Daniel Gatica-Perez (Idiap, EPFL) [Abstract][Slides]

  • 14:50 “Transparency of data origin and business value as Factors for the Assessment of Opportunities and Risks of Machine Learning-based Systems”, Olga Levina (TH Brandenburg) [Abstract]

  • 15:10  “Do Humans Trust AI or Its Developers? Exploring Benefits of Differentiating Trustees Within Trust in AI Frameworks” Marisa Tschopp (scip AG), Nicolas Scharowski (University of Basel) and Philipp Wintersberger (TU Wien) [Abstract][Slides]

  • 15:30 Q&A time

15:45 Coffee break

16:15 Panel discussion: "AI and ethics in education"
Chair: Andrea Aler Tubella (Umeå University)
Speakers: Anna-Mari Rusanen (University of Helsinki, Ethics of AI mooc), Susan Kennedy (Santa Clara University, Embedded EthiCS) and Meica Danielle Magnani (Northeastern University, Embedded EthiCS), Juan Carlos Nieves (Umeå University), Rehana Schwinninger-Ladak (European Commission).

17:30 Closing remarks - end of the afternoon session

AI4EU Working Groups

Social Awareness: Cristian Barrué  (Polytechnic University of Catalonia), Atia Cortés (Barcelona Supercomputing Center), Alessandro Fabris (University of Padua), Francesca Foffano (ECLT-Ca’ Foscari University of Venice), Dario Garcia-Gasulla (Barcelona Supercomputing Center), Long Pham (University College Cork), Teresa Scantamburlo (ECLT-Ca’ Foscari University of Venice)

Piloting Trustworthy AI: Cristian Barrué (Polytechnic University of Catalonia), Manuela Battaglini (Transparent Internet), Xin Chen (Huawei), Atia Cortés (Barcelona Supercomputing Center), Ana Chubinidze (Consultant/ AI Governance International), Francesca Foffano (ECLT-Ca’ Foscari University of Venice), Fabio Fossa (Polytechnic University of Milan), Christoph Heitz (Zurich University of Applied Sciences), Joris Krijger (de Volksbank & Erasmus University Rotterdam), Long Pham (University College Cork), Teresa Scantamburlo (ECLT-Ca’ Foscari University of Venice), Evert Stamhuis (Erasmus University Rotterdam), Risto Uuk (Future of Life Institute/Tallinn University of Technology), Ricardo Vinuesa (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) , Zahoor ul Islam (Umea University), Florian Zimmermann (Data Scientist specialized in Trustworthy AI).

Education: Cristian Barrué (Polytechnic University of Catalonia), Atia Cortés (Barcelona Supercomputing Center), Angeliki Dedopoulou (Huawei), Barbara Urban (University Jaume I), Andrea Aler Tubella (Umeå University), Francesca Foffano (ECLT-Ca’ Foscari University of Venice) Teresa Scantamburlo (ECLT-Ca’ Foscari University of Venice), Steven Umbrello (Ethics and Emerging Technologies & University of Turin)

Connections to the island of San Servolo

To reach the island of San Servolo you need to take the waterbus line 20 from San Zaccaria - platform B. Note that the waterbus serves every hour and the trip is ten minutes long (timetable available on this website ).
The standard price for a one way water bus ticket is 7.50 euro per person. Alternatively, we suggest buying the 48h or 72h  waterbus card to take all the public water buses (except the one from/to the airport) for 2 or 3 days. To have more information and/or to buy your tickets you can check this website.  Otherwise, you can purchase them on site in one of the several ticket offices VeneziaUnica.

Call for Extended Abstract

The workshop welcomes all individuals and organisations who are interested in the development of a culture of Trustworthy AI. The questions we want to address include, but are not limited to, the following:

Public debate

  • How can we create meaningful debates among stakeholders? 
  • What is missing in contemporary debates on Trustworthy and Responsible AI?
  • How can we help people become more aware of the opportunities and the risks associated with AI applications?

Education

  • How should we train young generations to deal with future AI transformations?
  • What are the working experiences in AI ethics education and training?
  • How can we increase equity and diversity in AI education?

Practical learning

  • How do we tackle the European ethics guidelines in practice?
  • How do ethics guidelines impact the work of AI developers and other roles involved in the development and/or deployment of an AI system (managers, data officers, etc.)?
  • How do ethical tools concretely interact with companies’ internal protocols and regulatory mechanisms?

Researchers and professionals engaged in any of the above topics are invited to share their work, either completed or in progress, by submitting an extended abstract of max. 1000 words (references included). Abstracts must be submitted electronically in PDF format via the EasyChair online submission page: https://easychair.org/my/conference?conf=osai21#  Selected submissions will be considered for either oral or poster presentation. Download the call for extended abstract

Important dates

  • Extended abstract submission: 5 August 
  • Author notification date: 15 August 

Program committee

  • Andreas Theodorou (Umeå University)
  • Barbara Urban Gonzalez (Jaume I University)
  • Christoph Heitz (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)
  • Evert Stamhuis (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
  • Fabio Fossa (Polytechnic University of Milan)
  • Juan Carlos Nieves Sanchez (Umeå University)
  • Luc Steels (Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies and Ca’ Foscari University)
  • Marcello Pelillo (Ca’ Foscari University)
  • Marie Schacht (McKinsey & Company)
  • Raja Chatila (Sorbonne University)
  • Ricardo Vinuesa (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
  • Risto Uuk (Tallinn University of Technology)
  • Ulises Cortés (Polytechnic University of Catalonia)
  • Viola Schiaffonati (Polytechnic University of Milan)
  • Virginia Dignum (Umeå University)