SW Centered University Project Group Co-hosts 2nd Artificial Intelligence Ethics Conference

From September 1 to 3, 2021, the AI KOREA 2021 event will be hosted by Busan Metropolitan City, the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency, and BEXCO at the BEXCO venue in Busan. Also heavily involved will be the DSU SW Centered University Project Group, the Dongguk University Institute of East/West Thought, and the Chung-Ang University Humanities Research Institute, all co-hosting the parallel Second Artificial Intelligence Ethics Conference.

Organized by the Korea Artificial Intelligence Ethics Association, the latter conference is drawing particular attention for being held in the midst of the rise of public concern and debate regarding: self-driving vehicle accident judgment standards, the socioeconomic relationship between cyberspace and ‘real’ society, the merits and demerits of social media based on human-designed algorithms, and the socioethical problems caused by AI biases. Indeed, the conference has been highlighted for its gathering of scholars from all over the world in one place to open the arena of academic discussion.

Consisting of four sessions on the themes of AI bias, deepfakes, self-driving cars, and the metaverse, the Ethics Conference will observe all pandemic quarantine and social-distancing rules and will provide ample time and opportunity for participation and communication with interested members of the public through online and offline channels. Three overseas scholars will give lectures: Dr. Toby Walsh of UNSW, Australia, who is an authority on AI ethics; Dr. Jonathan Schaefer, Professor at the University of Alberta, Canada, and an authority of AI gaming; and Dr. Thomas Gilbert, University of Berkeley, USA, who is an expert on global AI ethics policy. In addition, participants from Korea will include: Associate Professor Choi Dong-hyeok from the Department of AI Contents, DSU; Professor Byeon Soon-yong, Seoul National University of Education; Director Moon Jeong-wook, Korea Information Society Development Institute; Director Choi Jeong-hwee, Simmii Co. Ltd.; Son Jong-su, Director AI Core Research Center CJ OliveNetworks; Song Jin-han of SK Telecom; Shim Ji-won, Professor of Philosophy at Dongguk University; Moon Kyu-min Moon, Research Professor at Chung-Ang University; and Director Han Jeong-taek and Vice-president Shin Han-su of the Korea Artificial Intelligence Ethics Association.

Dongseo University Associate Professor Choi Dong-hyeok said, “These parallel conferences aim to promote connections with more industries such as manufacturing, medical care, welfare, education, life, and culture by sharing the latest technologies and various visions for the age of artificial intelligence. They will be recognized as important conferences in the field.”

Mun Mi-kyeong, head of DSU’s SW-focused university project division, said, “I think that as artificial intelligence penetrates into our daily lives, these discussions about the occurrence of adverse functions that abuse AI technology are valuable, and must be undertaken sincerely in addition to considering the positive functions and convenience that AI brings. I hope this conference will be an opportunity for everyone to think deeply about the reliability of artificial intelligence.”