{"id":75316,"date":"2022-11-08T10:03:13","date_gmt":"2022-11-08T09:03:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/appelloalpopolo.it\/?p=75316"},"modified":"2022-11-05T10:08:38","modified_gmt":"2022-11-05T09:08:38","slug":"algorethics-g20-religion-forum-r20-indonesia-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/appelloalpopolo.it\/?p=75316","title":{"rendered":"Algorethics – G20 Religion Forum (R20) Indonesia 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"
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di Paolo Benanti (blog)<\/strong><\/div>\n

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Algorethics: <\/strong><\/span>The Timeless Values of Religion and Their Irreplaceable Contribution to <\/strong><\/span>the Humane and Peaceful Development of Artificial Intelligence<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rev. Paolo Benanti (Italy)<\/span><\/p>\n

Presented to the G20 Religion Forum (R20)<\/span><\/p>\n

Bali, Indonesia, 2 \u2013 3 November 2022<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

Excellencies and distinguished guests,<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for your warm welcome. I am here in front of you, whom I thank for participating in this wonderful event, to talk about two things: artificial intelligence and peace. Being here with you at the G20 Religion Forum is a great honor for me. It is also a valuable opportunity. For I hope that your witnessing my appeal \u2014 delivered in this august forum, and addressed to the entire human family \u2014 will lead to the widest possible dissemination of our shared aspirations and agenda.<\/span><\/p>\n

We all know that science and technology play a major role in the profound transformations that the world is currently undergoing, particularly in view of their close connection with the domains of economics and finance. <\/span><\/p>\n

If we subject the role of technology to closer scrutiny, we shall notice that it is affecting and modifying every dimension of human existence, including social relationships. Today, we appreciate the multiple benefits of this transformation. For instance, without technology, it would be impossible for us to interact in real time, or to enjoy the countless innovations designed and created by the human mind. <\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, the dangers and grey areas of technology are more difficult to fathom. For technology is not simply a tool. Whether it is beneficial or harmful depends not only on the way we use technology, but on multiple factors that are seldom immediately perceptible. <\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, the devices that we use have become an integral part of the world we inhabit, to the extent that they are practically invisible components of our social environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the past few years, technology has gone through increasingly rapid cycles of development, producing more and more innovations. We have witnessed the digital transformation of technology; the emergence of \u201cbig data\u201d; and an exponential increase in computational power. <\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks to these developments, what we may describe as an \u201cArtificial Intelligence Spring\u201d has blossomed, and now permeates the lives of each and every one of us. <\/span><\/p>\n

But the innovation produced by artificial intelligence is not an unalloyed blessing. It also has many neutral and even sinister aspects which, if not harnessed and directed for the good of all humanity, may evolve to its profound detriment.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, most people are unaware of the operational procedures of artificial intelligence. However, AI is pervasive and ever more present in countless fields, such as manufacturing, healthcare, education, nutrition, security, and other realms that shape our daily lives. In short, AI is everywhere; and thanks to its rising power, its role will continue to increase in the coming years.<\/span><\/p>\n

We need to pay close attention to what is happening in this arena, because an enormously valuable tool created by the human intellect can turn out to be a valuable friend, making our lives easier; or it can become an instrument of oppression used to control, direct or otherwise influence humanity, especially weak, vulnerable and less educated members of society.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, artificial intelligence may prove to be \u201call-defining\u201d for younger generations, future generations, the elderly and the poor.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is why, a little over two years ago, in February 2020, we launched, together with stakeholders of various kinds, the \u201cRome Call for AI Ethics.\u201d This appeal, which I am making to you assembled here today, is addressed to international organizations, governments, institutions, the private sector, and society as a whole. Its purpose is to promote a sense of shared responsibility and encourage a joint effort to create a future in which digital innovation and technological progress foster peace. The development of AI in the service of humankind and the planet must be reflected in principles and regulations that protect people \u2014 particularly the weak and the underprivileged \u2014 and natural environments. <\/span><\/p>\n

The signatories of the Rome Call commit to respect its six principles. These principles \u2014 transparency, inclusion, responsibility, impartiality, reliability, and security and privacy \u2014 are the pillars of our work. We call this approach \u201calgorethics.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At a time when new technologies are constantly multiplying their applications in real life, the Rome Call for AI Ethics urges everyone to say: \u201cLet us think this through. Let us act consciously. Let us consider the consequences of our actions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s try to ask ourselves: Do we really want machines to threaten our dignity, our right to live as free and conscious individuals, and the legitimate privacy of our personal lives? Do we really want all of us to be profiled unknowingly, and do we welcome the advent of a world in which algorithms make decisions based on ethnicity, gender and age? Is there really no other solution than entrusting artificial intelligence with decisions on job offers, loans or criminal proceedings? Do we really want to unconditionally trust a mechanism that can create \u201cdeepfakes,\u201d which are false but extremely realistic images, video and audio files that can swindle, ruin reputations or undermine trust in democratic decision-making processes? Should we allow new technologies to threaten freedom of association or speech, as we look upon these developments with indifference? <\/span><\/p>\n

Summing it all up in a single question: do we really want AI to undermine the foundations of peace and human dignity?<\/span><\/p>\n

Wouldn\u2019t it be better to opt for an artificial intelligence that proves useful in managing complexity to everyone\u2019s benefit; that helps optimize resource management; that yields precious benefits in the fields of medicine and healthcare, and in the performance of tasks that are too difficult or dangerous for human beings to undertake?<\/span><\/p>\n

The call I mentioned, the Rome Call for AI Ethics, is not aimed at a specific audience that shares our religious and cultural traditions. Since its inception, the Rome Call has attracted the attention of diverse stakeholders who are ready for dialogue, in order to build a better world for all.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first signatories of the Rome Call were mons. Paglia, for Pontifical Academy for Life, Microsoft, IBM, the United Nations\u2019 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Minister for Innovation of the Italian Government. These stakeholders have diverse interests; however, each of them is willing to embrace its share of responsibility and commit to turn the Call\u2019s principles into decisive aspects of their activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Among the many interlocutors we have had so far, I want to mention institutions of higher education \u2014 places of knowledge that train future generations \u2014 and the other religions with which we are engaged in dialogue. There are many people of good will, throughout the world, devoted to the welfare of humanity at large. I believe the R20 emerges from such an impulse, and view this gathering as an opportunity to initiate new dialogues among the diverse peoples, cultures, and religions of the world, founded upon mutual respect and shared values.<\/span><\/p>\n

We know that religions play a crucial role in shaping societies where the Human Being stands at the center of development goals, both conceptually and practically. That is why we strongly believe that the development of artificial intelligence should proceed from a shared ethical perspective, which is essential to building global solidarity and peace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Religious adherents constitute a majority of people living on the Earth. Together, we can make a decisive difference. <\/span><\/p>\n

We can be the primary advocates of, and joint contributors to, the emergence of a world truly blessed with peace:<\/span><\/p>\n