Ethical AI Launch: A Collective Beginning
Imagine a world where AI is not just a tool for the powerful, but a force for good that reflects the diverse voices and values of our global community. On August 10th, 2024, we took the first step toward that vision. In a moment that brought together minds and hearts from over 15 countries, the Ethical AI Alliance was born—not just as a platform, but as a movement.
From the vibrant tech hub of Polo Digital in Málaga to virtual rooms buzzing with ideas, this event marked the beginning of something truly transformative. It wasn’t just about technology; it was about people—people who believe that AI can and should be a force for equity, justice, and shared progress.
Asma Derja, founder of Ethical AI Alliance, opened the day with a quote from poet Mahmoud Darwish: “I don't decide to represent anything except myself. But that self is full of collective memory.” These words resonated deeply as we embarked on a journey to ensure that the future of AI is shaped by the collective experiences and wisdom of all, not just the few.
The Puzzle Pieces
Planning this event was like assembling a puzzle—each piece unique and essential. Asma’s strategic oversight from her AWS days provided the big picture. Kei Baritugo, our event producer with deep experience in movement building, social justice, and communications, filled in the details, making sure everything fit together smoothly. Mohamed Abdelmonem, a data engineer at the largest retail company in Europe, brought a deep understanding of technology, adding clarity to the image with his focus on AI ethics. Elaina Martinelli, a facilitator and learning consultant with over two decades of experience in the technology sector, ensured the event fostered meaningful dialogue and collaboration. Along the way, everything was designed to feel like an invitation, and to remind every attendee that they have an important seat at the table. After all, this is the creation of it—a place where every piece, every person, is integral to the whole.
Diverse Voices, Shared Concerns
The panel discussion, moderated by Kei, sparked critical conversations around the implications of AI on global governance and human rights. Marwa Azelmat, a digital rights activist, emphasized the ways in which we’re seeing economic powers in the global north driving decisions around AI, while the consequences disproportionately impact people and countries of the global south. Cecilia Garcia Podoley, an ethics and legal expert, added, “In the end, we will need to hit them in their wallets.” Their discussion highlighted the need for robust legal frameworks and accountability measures to protect vulnerable populations from the adverse effects of AI.
Through the different lenses of psychology, technology, and education, attendees explored how AI intersects with our daily lives. Julian Merten, a psychologist, drew attention to some of the ways interactions with AI and technology in general are changing our humanity and the ways we interact with each other. Joud Chataoui, a Master of Science in Computer Engineering with a focus on Machine Learning, brought a forward-looking perspective, stressing the need to "limit content creation in fields like deepfakes." Meanwhile, Ayla Lupien, an AI startup founder in education, raised concerns about the impact of AI on learning, stressing the importance of tools that are honest and foster critical thinking among students. Richa Chaturvedi, a tech lead at Nokia, added to this by emphasizing the potential for AI to enhance human capabilities, asking, “How can we use AI to free up humans to do the things that we are uniquely good at?”
Collaboration: Bridging Gaps and Uniting Efforts
Engaging Technology Builders
A key takeaway from the event was the importance of engaging directly with those who are at the forefront of technology development, and in creating bridges between these institutions and citizens whose lives and livelihood are impacted by this technology. Jivtesh Singh, an architect at Microsoft, emphasized this crucial point during the discussions. He shared insights into how ethical AI principles can be embedded into the development process when there is meaningful dialogue between tech builders and advocates. As an organization, Ethical AI Alliance is committed to fostering these kinds of partnerships, ensuring that our approach to AI is both responsible and inclusive.
Uniting Grassroots Movements
The event also highlighted the vital role of grassroots movements in shaping the future of AI. Andrew Lyons, a grassroots advocacy expert, Mehdi Cherif, a sociologist and civil society activist from Tunisia, and Nicolas Moës, a founder of The Future Society (TFS), underscored the importance of building grassroots efforts in addition to working through official legal and regulatory channels to pressure both states and companies. When discussing the inherent limitations of policy-based approaches, Andrew noted, “Developing grassroots advocacy and community building to pressure both states and companies is in huge need.” Mehdi and Nicolas echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that grassroots efforts will be key to driving change at all levels. Uniting of grassroots movements ensures that the voices of the most vulnerable and impacted communities are heard, creating a more equitable and just AI future for all.
Co-Creation: Emerging Principles for Our Future Work
Near the end of event, we put participants into small groups and asked them to discuss their biggest and most urgent concerns regarding AI, and what role they hope the Ethical AI Alliance movement can play in positively shaping the future. In just 30 minutes, these breakout sessions surfaced key topics that will guide the future work of the alliance. Our commitment is to incorporate these principles into the overall strategy:
1. Inclusive AI: Integrate the voices of all affected communities into AI development, focusing on real-world impacts.
2. Human-Centric Design: Ensure AI enhances human creativity and connection, not replaces it.
3. Ethical Responsibility: Demand transparency and hold corporations and governments accountable for ethical AI practices.
4. Risk Prevention: Prioritize the protection of individual rights and creative freedom against AI misuse.
5. Continuous Collaboration: Maintain ongoing dialogue between AI developers, users, and communities to keep AI aligned with societal needs.
These principles are our guiding star, driving our strategy with clear purpose. We are committed to working alongside you to turn these ideals into action, making them the foundation of our open-source ethical certification for AI applications.
Moving Forward
After a few weeks to reflect and digest, we can say with confidence that the event surpassed all expectations. It was never about meeting any specific goals we might have had in mind—it was about creating a new vision for the future of AI. The energy, ideas, and dedication that came out of this event have ignited a movement, and this is only the first step in creating a strong community.
The launch of Ethical AI Alliance is just the beginning. More concrete actions will be defined soon, and we’re eager to roll up our sleeves and get to work with you all. This organization isn’t just an idea; it’s real, and we’re determined to make a real impact. Whether you’re a technologist, an artist, a psychologist, an academic, or simply someone who cares about the future, there’s a place for you here. Together, we can ensure that AI serves all of humanity, not just the powerful few
