Successful Conclusion of the 1st Workshop on Responsible Artificial Intelligence (ReAI) at SETN 2024
The Archimedes, AI and Data Science Research Hub at the Athena Research Center proudly supported the 1st Workshop on Responsible Artificial Intelligence (ReAI), which took place on September 12, 2024, at the University of Piraeus during SETN 2024, the 13th Conference on Artificial Intelligence, organised by the Hellenic Artificial Intelligence Society (EETN). The event brought together AI researchers, industry experts, and policymakers for a comprehensive discussion on the ethical, legal, and societal responsibilities involved in the development and deployment of AI systems.
The workshop commenced with a highly engaging keynote speech by Nicolas Kourtellis, Head of the Systems AI Lab (SAIL) at Telefonica Scientific Research. In his talk, “AI, Networks, and Responsible Innovation: Ensuring Privacy, Security, and Fairness in the 5G/6G Era”, Kourtellis explored the critical role of AI in managing next-generation telecommunication networks. He discussed how cloud infrastructure, hierarchical network architectures, and edge computing can be harnessed to enhance network performance, while also ensuring privacy, security, fairness, and sustainability. His presentation showcased Telefonica’s recent efforts in building responsible AI systems that meet the demands of advanced network infrastructures.
The workshop featured cutting-edge research presented by prominent academics, sparking lively discussions on AI's impact across different sectors:
- Local Explanations and Self-Explanations for Assessing Faithfulness in Black-Box LLMs
Authors: Christos Fragkathoulas, Odysseas S. Chlapanis
This paper introduced an innovative algorithm and metric designed to evaluate the alignment of large language models (LLMs) with their input context. The authors tested their approach on GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, uncovering gaps in model faithfulness through local and self-explanations, offering actionable insights for improving AI model transparency.
- Artificial Intelligence in Education: Ethical Considerations and Insights from Ancient Greek Philosophy
Author: Kostas Karpouzis
This insightful paper delved into the ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI algorithms in education. The author emphasized the relevance of Ancient Greek philosophical thought, such as the teachings of Aristotle and Socrates, to contemporary AI ethics. The discussion highlighted the risks and strategies involved in AI’s use for personalizing content and evaluating student performance.
- In Pursuit of Effective Fundamental Rights Protection in the Age of AI: Exploring the Potential of Positive Obligations
Author: Andrea Palumbo
Palumbo’s paper explored the doctrine of positive obligations as a promising framework for addressing the new risks AI poses to fundamental rights. The presentation underscored how the EU AI Act can operationalize this doctrine to ensure stronger protections for individuals in an AI-driven world.
The workshop concluded with a dynamic panel discussion chaired by Lilian Mitrou, focusing on the ethical, legal, and societal challenges in the AI ecosystem. The panelists included:
- Michail Bletsas, Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority
- Vassilis Karkatzounis, AI and Cybersecurity Advisor to the Minister of Digital Governance
- Eleni Rethymiotaki, Professor of Law, University of Athens, and Former President of the National Commission of Bioethics and Technoethics
- Panayiotis Tsaparas, Associate Professor, University of Ioannina
The panelists examined the concept of Responsible AI and the importance of accountability in the design and deployment of AI systems. Discussions focused on how regulatory frameworks, like the EU AI Act, are shaping Responsible AI and the need for fairness, transparency, and public engagement in AI literacy. The session emphasized that AI systems are socio-technical in nature, with responsibility resting on those who build and operate them, rather than on the systems themselves.
The 1st Workshop on Responsible Artificial Intelligence at SETN 2024 marked an important step in fostering dialogue on responsible AI practices. Archimedes is proud to have supported this significant workshop and remains dedicated to advancing research and public discourse around AI ethics and responsibility.
