IRTS Symposium 2024
Event Summary
On March 25, 2024, the Interdisciplinary Research in Technology & Society (IRTS) group at Tufts University, in collaboration with the Data Intensive Studies Center, hosted a half-day symposium to discuss various approaches to AI governance, ethics, and innovation. This event brought together local experts, scholars, and practitioners to explore who impacts and who is impacted by artificial intelligence and attempts to govern it.
The event successfully created a collaborative environment where attendees could share their research, insights, and perspectives on AI governance. The discussions highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing the social and ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
This event would not have been possible without the organizers: Muhammad Umair, Sarah Hladikova, Andreia Martinho, Joe Hilleary, and Nick Rabb. We also thank all the participants and speakers for making this symposium a success.
Background & Purpose
IRTS aims to advance conversation and collaboration on the social and ethical implications of technology. Given the rapid advancements in fields with the potential for widespread disruption, such as artificial intelligence, this mission is more crucial than ever. The symposium’s goal was to build a community among researchers and practitioners from diverse fields, fostering a space to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by AI governance and to learn from different disciplinary perspectives.
Lightning Talks
During the symposium, we featured several 10-15 minute lightning talks on topics including, but not limited to:
- Regulatory frameworks for AI
- Social justice in technology
- AI ethics
- Critical data studies
- AI for social good
- AI and dis/misinformation
- AI and surveillance
- The global AI arms race
- International cooperation on AI governance
The symposium began with an insightful keynote address, followed by a series of engaging lightning talks. Lunch and refreshments were provided, offering participants the chance to network and discuss their ideas informally. The event took place in person on the Tufts University campus from 12:00 to 3:00 pm.
Speakers
| Speaker Name | Title | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Dignum | Professor in Responsible Artificial Intelligence and the Director of the AI Policy Lab | Umea University |
| Chuncheng Liu | Postdoctoral Researcher | Microsoft Research New England |
| Shiran Dudy | Research scientist at Institute of Experiential AI (AI) | Northeastern University |
| Martha Kelehan | Assistant Director of Research & Learning | Tisch Library, Tufts University |
| Paula Martin Rivero | Researcher | SMFA |