Events

UNESCO is requesting a citizen deliberation on AI: We want to hear from Canada

28 July 2020 at 1 - 3:30 PM (EDT)

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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is preparing a global standard-setting recommendation on the ethics of AI and is seeking multi-stakeholder input to develop a comprehensive, inclusive and pluralistic text. Your participation in this online event will be part of citizen deliberation workshops invited by UNESCO and happening in 25 countries. These deliberations are being led by Mila and Algora Lab (Université de Montréal), and co-hosted in Canada by the Sustainability in the Digital Age initiative.

Please join the Canadian dialogue as part of the international deliberations. Share your views and help strengthen the draft recommendation, for possible adoption by UNESCO’s General Conference at its 41st session in 2021.

Q: What standards are needed to ensure that the design, development, and deployment of AI support a sustainable and equitable future for people and the planet?

UNESCO recommendation for policy action on environment and AI (paragraph 65)

Policy Action 4: Impact on Culture and on the Environment

  1. Member States should work to assess and reduce the environmental impact of AI systems, including but not limited to, its carbon footprint. They should also introduce incentives to advance ethical AI–powered environmental solutions and facilitate their adoption in different contexts. Some examples include using AI to:
    1. Accelerate the protection, monitoring and management of natural resources.
    2. Support the prevention, control and management of climate-related problems.
    3. Support a more efficient and sustainable food ecosystem.
    4. Accelerate the access to and mass adoption of green energy.

See full draft recommendation, especially paragraphs 18, 29, 65 >

Join us for an online citizen deliberation on UNESCO’s draft recommendation on the ethics of artificial intelligence (AI) and the environment.

SAVE THE DATE!
Date: Tuesday July 28, 2020
Time: 1 PM – 3:30 PM (EDT)
Platform: Videoconference (a link will be provided to registered participants)

Register

For more information contact: sasha.luccioni [at] mila.quebec