How can technology, ethics, and collaboration drive a better future? What steps are required to ensure that the technical systems we design reflect our values as a society?
The Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society’s 2023–24 cohort of graduate fellows present “Interdisciplinary Dialogues on AI,” a special one-day workshop that will explore innovative solutions for tough problems at the intersection of technology and society. The graduate workshop is part of SRI’s annual conference, Absolutely Interdisciplinary, which takes place May 6-8, 2024. For more information, visit the conference website.
Across four thought-provoking sessions at the graduate workshop, a diverse range of scholars and practitioners will discuss exciting new research directions and address some of the most pivotal issues shaping our world today.
In the morning, two workshop sessions will examine the transformative potential of AI in healthcare delivery and the ethical dimensions of AI safety, navigating the complexities, challenges, and interdisciplinary opportunities that lie ahead for aligning AI systems with human values, real-world applications, and mitigating potential harms.
In the afternoon, we’ll engage in discussions surrounding online safety and content moderation, as our first session explores interventions to combat misinformation, polarization, and online violence in today's digital landscape. The following session will address the urgent need for sustainable urban development amidst climate change, and envision resilient cities through the lenses of technology and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from an impressive lineup of leading thinkers who are shaping the future of research on technology’s social impacts and helping to define how powerful new tools like AI can benefit the world.
While in-person attendance at “Interdisciplinary Dialogues on AI” is by invitation only, registration for online participation is free and open to the public. We hope you’ll join us!
SRI’s graduate workshop is coordinated by: Michael Colacci, Felix Menze, Jo-Ann Osei-Twum (Innovating care); Michael Beauvais, Jamie Duncan, Kelly McConvey, Silviu Pitis, Michael Zhang (Harming virtuously); Alice Huang, Blake Lee-Whiting, Ramaravind Kommiya Mothilal, Emily Schwartzman (Online safety); Taneea S. Agrawaal, Hiu-Fung Chung, Wenxi Liao, Han Qiao (Changing climate).
Schedule: May 6, 2024
“Interdisciplinary Dialogues on AI” Graduate Workshop
Sessions will run from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM ET. Exact times and session titles are listed on the conference website. All activities take place in Room W240, 2nd Floor, Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, University of Toronto (108 College St.)
Speakers
Ishtiaque Ahmed, Department of Computer Science, Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society (University of Toronto)
Dr. Mamatha Bhat, University Health Network (UHN); Department of Medicine (University of Toronto)
Daniel Buchman, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Dalla Lana School of Public Health (University of Toronto)
Maaz Gardezi, Department of Sociology (Virginia Tech)
Muhammad Mamdani, Unity Health Toronto; Temerty Faculty of Medicine Centre for Artificial Intelligence Education and Research in Medicine (University of Toronto)
Branka Marijan, Project Ploughshares, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy (University of Toronto)
Bree McEwan, Institute for Communication, Culture, Information and Technology, Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society (University of Toronto)
M. Reza Najafi, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Western University)
Regina Rini, Department of Philosophy (York University)
Nisarg Shah, Department of Computer Science, Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society (University of Toronto)
Leah West, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (Carleton University)
About the Schwartz Reisman Institute
Located at the University of Toronto, the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society’s mission is to deepen our knowledge of technologies, societies, and what it means to be human by integrating research across traditional boundaries and building human-centred solutions that really make a difference. The integrative research we conduct rethinks technology’s role in society, the contemporary needs of human communities, and the systems that govern them. We’re investigating how best to align technology with human values and deploy it accordingly. The human-centred solutions we build are actionable and practical, highlighting the potential of emerging technologies to serve the public good while protecting citizens and societies from their misuse. We want to make sure powerful technologies truly make the world a better place—for everyone.