On the 14th and 15th of April, the Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (IEAI) at the Technical University of Munich and the Tutzing Akademie für Politische Bildung held a co-created multidisciplinary conference discussing AI Governance: Challenges and Opportunities for the Public Sector.
The conference gathered stakeholders from a variety of sectors, such as academia, civil society, and private industry, to discuss tomorrow’s solutions to today’s dilemmas. The newest developments of artificial intelligence such as Large Language Models were discussed, as well as their possible consequences on society and the public sector. The questions attached to such implications were addressed through an ethical lens, while understanding the European legal framework surrounding those evolutions.
Prof. Dr. Christian Djeffal, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, opened the event with an insightful keynote on the complexities and dimensions of AI in public administration, followed by an astute and interactive discussion with Livia Schaeffer Nonose, United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities (UNITAC), led by Till Klein, appliedAI Initiative.
The conference hosted several paper sessions and a workshop discussing a broad range of topic from accountability for artificial intelligence, to participatory governance framework for inclusive people-centered smart cities, and many more. Speakers also discussed the challenges in implementing AI in the public sector, such as technical complexity, general acceptance, and cultural aspects. Through the discussions, it was revealed that technology is neither good nor bad; however, it is not neutral either.
The conference concluded with a panel discussion on AI Governance: Implications and Future Directions, with notable speakers such as Dr. Sophie Naue, Urban Innovation Specialist at UNITAC, and Prof. Dr. Christoph Lütge (TUM IEAI), moderated by Dr. Giulia Mennillo (APB). The conference came to an end with coffee, networking, and many takeaways on the governance of AI in the public sector.
We want to warmly thank all the speakers and participants who made this event an insightful and enjoyable time.
