12.09.2022

Panel on AI Development in Europe

Join our discussion on September 13 at 6 pm at the DAI and online

Social Innovation and AI Development in Europe | a Panel Discussion in the context of the project WeNet - The Internet of Us
September 13 @ 6:00 pm
German-American Institute, Karlstraße 3
and online!

Europe is increasingly investing in the development of Artificial Intelligence, with a global third place in the number of AI economic players behind the United States and China. Arguably, research in AI is the biggest driver of these developments, with over 3 billion Euros annual investment in Germany alone. Social innovation plays an increasingly important role in the AI landscape with the European Commission funding and promoting research and products that primarily aim at serving society. Social innovations in AI promise to (re)focus AI development on people instead of profits. For instance, the WeNet social media platform has been included in the EC Innovation Radar for responding to the various concerns with existing online systems for personal interaction. Yet, questions remain about the export of European technologies and values as a form of digital colonialism and the reinforcement of bias and discrimination in technology. These trends, drivers, and conflicts are subject to our panel discussion with a group of renowned computer scientists and researchers.

We will ask and answer the following questions:

1. Where does Europe stand in terms of AI development vis à vis USA and China? Where do we want Europe to be?
2. Is social innovation unique to the European AI landscape? Is social innovation a competitive advantage?
3. What is the role of European legislation in the promotion of AI and social innovation?
4. Do European values and statements about trustworthy AI match products developed in Europe? Is there a gap between rhetoric and practice in social innovation and AI development?
5. What can be the role of social innovations like WeNet in the AI landscape?

The panelists:

• Elizabeth Churchill (Google, USA) – Attending remotely
• Gianluca Misuraca (Inspiring Futures, AI4GOV, InTouchAI & Re-Imagine Europa) – Attending in person
• Daniel Gatica-Perez (EPFL, EU) – Attending in person
• Judith Simon (Uni Hamburg, EU) – Attending remotely

And Jessica Heesen, from WeNet partner EKUT (EU), as host and moderator

Admittance to the online event is free of charge but registration is mandatory to participate online – REGISTER HERE: ti.to/wenet/wenet-ai-development-social-innovation-panel