UMass Boston

UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco led a delegation of leaders from Massachusetts to participate in the Artificial Intelligence, Justice and Democracy workshop at the Vatican hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences on March 4 and 5.

The summit brought together government and judicial leaders, scientists, and scholars from around the globe to examine the issues surrounding the use of AI and discuss how to utilize and harness AI while confronting the ethical and human challenges it presents. 

“I believe we can all agree that, at the present time, AI is being fetishized around the world,” said Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, who presented at the event. “Its success is measured by efficiency gains or the logic of the market. It is lauded as a breakthrough that changes everything and improves all human endeavors. … The question is whether this state of affairs reflects AI’s promise or peril. And the answer requires a proportionately judicious assessment of AI’s risks.”

The workshop focused on three themes:  Ensuring Fairness and Equity, Safeguarding Democratic Processes, and Preparing Citizens for an AI-Driven World. Among the presenters and discussion leaders, in addition to Chancellor Suárez-Orozco, were Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao and UMass Boston Associate Professor of Public Policy and Public Affairs Michael Ahn. They explored “AI Risks and Opportunities.”

The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, of which Chancellor Suárez-Orozco is a member, convened the workshop in response to Pope Francis’s challenge to utilize and harness AI while confronting the obvious ethical and human challenges it presents.