Global AI Ethics Agreement Commits Universities to Human-Centered AI

A new global agreement has been established by eight worldwide universities to commit to the development of human-centered approaches to artificial intelligence (AI). The newest university to join the agreement, which could impact people all across the globe, was the University of Florida (UF). 

The Global University Summit was held back on October 27 at Notre Dame University. Joseph Glover, UF provost and senior vice president of academic affairs, signed The Rome Call for AI Ethics on behalf of the University of Florida. He also served as a panelist for the two-day summit, which was attended by 36 universities from around the world. 

Ensuring Human-Centered Principles

The signing of the agreement is meant to indicate a commitment to the principles of the Rome Call for AI Ethics. 

These principles aim to ensure artificial intelligence serves the interest of humanity and to support regulations and principles, which will help deliver emerging technologies that are ethically centered. 

The network of universities will collaborate and share best practices, tools, and educational content to push forward these principles. They will also hold regular meetings to share updates and discuss new and innovative ideas in the field of artificial intelligence. 

The other universities included in the agreement are the University of Navarra in Spain, the Catholic University of Croatia, SWPS University in Poland, Schiller International University in Spain, Chuo University in Japan, University of Johannesburg and the University of Notre Dame. 

Regina Rodriguez is a provost fellow for professional education at UF. At the summit, Regina highlighted UF’s multidisciplinary approach to building an AI university. 

According to provost Joseph Glover, “Any AI university needs to be built on a firm ethical foundation so that the technology and its applications are developed to support life, prosperity, and the best interests of all people. That is our commitment at UF through the Rome Call for AI Ethics.” 

The Rome Call for AI Ethics

The principles put forth by the Rome Call for AI Ethics call for transparency, inclusion, responsibility, impartiality, reliability and security in building AI systems, research, education and workforce development. 

Established in 2020, The Rome Call was originally signed by the Pontifical Academy for Life, Microsoft, IBM, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Italian Ministry of Innovation. Each year sees more and more signatures added by higher education institutions and public and private companies. 

UF is increasingly implementing AI and data science into all of its research and educational programs, which is enabling its transformation into an “AI University.” The university is preparing thousands of next-gen AI students for this new AI-driven world. It has also partnered with various institutions around the State of Florida and the Southeast Conference Artificial Intelligence Consortium, which consists of universities in the SEC athletics conferences.