- Session Type (Workshop, Open Forum, etc.):
Panel
- Title:
AI and Ethics: privacy, transparency and construction of knowledge
- Date & Time:
5 pm – 6:30 pm on 13th November.
- Organizer(s)
Yik Chan Chin Xi'an Jiao-tong Liverpool University
Ansagar Koene, University of Nottingham
Kuo-wei, Wu APNIC
Yang Shen, School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University
- Chair/Moderator:
On Site Moderator: Dr. Wu Kuo-wei, APNIC
Online Moderator: Mr. Le Song
- Rapporteur/Notetaker:
Dr. Yik Chan Chin
- List of speakers and their institutional affiliations (Indicate male/female/ transgender male/ transgender female/gender variant/prefer not to answer):
Dr. Yik Chan Chin and Prof. Changfeng Chen Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Tsinghua University
Dr. Ansgar Koene University of Nottingham
Mr. Jasper Wang, Deputy Editor of Sina Weibo, Editor-in-chief of Weibo Think Tank in China.
Dr. Félicien Vallet, a privacy technologist at the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL), the French data protection authority.
Mr. Yuqiang Chen, the co-founder and chief research scientist of the 4th Paradigm.
Mr. Jake Lucchi, Head of AI, Public Policy, Google Asia Pacific.
- Theme (as listed here):
Emerging Technologies
- Subtheme (as listed here):
Internet Ethics
- Please state no more than three (3) key messages of the discussion. [150 words or less]
What are the most prominent ethical issues in related to the AI development and application?
What is the current landscape of policies and regulations of AI ethics in China, EU and USA?
What is the necessary policy environment to ensure the ethical development of AI?
Panel
AI and Ethics: privacy, transparency and construction of knowledge
5 pm – 6:30 pm on 13th November.
Yik Chan Chin Xi'an Jiao-tong Liverpool University
Ansagar Koene, University of Nottingham
Kuo-wei, Wu APNIC
Yang Shen, School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University
On Site Moderator: Dr. Wu Kuo-wei, APNIC
Online Moderator: Mr. Le Song
Dr. Yik Chan Chin
Dr. Yik Chan Chin and Prof. Changfeng Chen Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Tsinghua University
Dr. Ansgar Koene University of Nottingham
Mr. Jasper Wang, Deputy Editor of Sina Weibo, Editor-in-chief of Weibo Think Tank in China.
Dr. Félicien Vallet, a privacy technologist at the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL), the French data protection authority.
Mr. Yuqiang Chen, the co-founder and chief research scientist of the 4th Paradigm.
Mr. Jake Lucchi, Head of AI, Public Policy, Google Asia Pacific.
- Please elaborate on the discussion held, specifically on areas of agreement and divergence. [150 words] Examples: There was broad support for the view that…; Many [or some] indicated that…; Some supported XX, while others noted YY…; No agreement…
Our panel involved stakeholders from the government agency (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL)), IT and AI companies (Google, 4th Paradigm, and Sina Weibo) and academia/civil society (Xi’an Jiao-tong Liverpool University, Tsinghua University and Nottingham University, and IEEE working group on Algorithm Bias) . Speakers’/organisations’ geographical origins cove both Asia and Europe.
The panel first discussed the AI policy and ethical frameworks developed in China, France as well as by professional organisation- IEEE, and the underpinning importance of developing the ethical standards. It is understood that the ethical framework of AI is still in the process of discussion and formation, there is no compressive standard has been proposed by
Secondly, we discussed the consultation done by the governmental agency such as CNIL (the French Data Protection Authority) in producing digital technology ethics, i.e. the digital republic bill 2016 and its widely inclusive approach in conducting the process. Two important founding principles- fairness and continued attention and vigilance were discussed. Most importantly, we discussed six policy recommendations made by CNIL in how to address the AI ethics.
Finally, three-panel speakers from private sectors including Google, Sina Weibo, and 4 Paradigm shared their companies’ policy and practices in addressing AI ethical issues – such as privacy protection, preventing algorithm bias and improving algorithm’s fairness and accountability.
There was broad support for the view that it is important and in need to have international discussions of AI and algorithm 's industrial standards, regulation and ethical guidance. The similar discussions have already been undertaken in different countries and regions. The discussions must include different stakeholders of different backgrounds. And also at the national level, it has to set up a shared ethical code and normative framework.
Panel members also showed concerns on the potential chilling effect on freedom of expression caused by actions taken to refute fake news, an action such as credit rating of online users, when users may not have the capacity to have their stories fact-checked before releasing it.
- Please describe any policy recommendations or suggestions regarding the way forward/potential next steps. [100 words]
Panel members and workshop participants highly endorsed and praised the importance of involving different stakeholders including academia, industry actors, NGOs and policymakers from different geographic regions in discussing and addressing AI ethics. While European and American actors were often presented in the IGF forum, actors from Asia and other regions are less presented, and in particular in the discussions of ethical issues. Taking into the accounts of participants' feedback and the importance of cultural diversities in ethics research and debates, the panel members and the organiser are exploring the opportunities to form a cross-countries-cross-sectors research collaboration in AI ethics (EU-China, and industry-government-academics).
- What ideas surfaced in the discussion with respect to how the IGF ecosystem might make progress on this issue? [75 words]
The IGF provided an open platform to allow the different stakeholders to involve in this debate of AI ethics. This open platform is important for both policy deliberation and public education purposes. It would be helpful if IGF could have more policymakers involved.
- Please estimate the total number of participants.
The total number of participants is between 50-60, which is the maximum capacity the room VII is allowed. Half of the participants queening outside the room was not allowed to enter by the UNESCO security staffs ( we guess it is because of the safety concern).
- Please estimate the total number of women and gender-variant individuals present.
We had 2/3 participants in the room were men and 1/3 were women.
- To what extent did the session discuss gender issues, and if to any extent, what was the discussion? [100 words]
Our session did not discuss gender issues.
Long Report
- Session Type (Workshop, Open Forum, etc.):
Panel
- Title:
AI and Ethics: privacy, transparency and construction of knowledge
- Date & Time:
5 pm – 6:30 pm on 13th November.
- Organizer(s)
Yik Chan Chin, Xi'an Jiao-tong Liverpool University
Ansagar Koene, University of Nottingham
Kuo-wei, Wu APNIC
- Chair/Moderator:
On Site Moderator: Dr. Wu Kuo-wei, APNIC
Online Moderator: Mr. Le Song
- Rapporteur/Notetaker:
Dr. Yik Chan Chin
- List of speakers and their institutional affiliations (Indicate male/female/ transgender male/ transgender female/gender variant/prefer not to answer):
Dr. Yik Chan Chin and Prof. Changfeng Chen Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Tsinghua University
Dr. Ansgar Koene University of Nottingham
Mr. Jasper Wang, Deputy Editor of Sina Weibo, Editor-in-chief of Weibo Think Tank in China.
Dr. Félicien Vallet, a privacy technologist at the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL), the French data protection authority.
Mr. Yuqiang Chen, the co-founder and chief research scientist of the 4th Paradigm.
Mr. Jake Lucchi, Head of AI, Public Policy, Google Asia Pacific.
- Theme (as listed here):
Emerging Technologies
- Subtheme (as listed here):
Internet Ethics
- Please state no more than three (3) key messages of the discussion. [150 words or less]
The 3 ‘Key Messages’ that are asked for essentially refer to the policy questions or policy points in your session. You should revise these if they in any way change once your session is
What are the most prominent ethical issues in related to the AI development and application ?
What are current landscape of policies and regulations of AI ethics in China, EU and USA?
What is the necessary policy environment to ensure the ethical development of AI?
- Please elaborate on the discussion held, specifically on areas of agreement and divergence. [300 words] Examples: There was broad support for the view that…; Many [or some] indicated that…; Some supported XX, while others noted YY…; No agreement…
Our panel involved stakeholders from the government agency (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL)), IT and AI companies (Google, 4th Paradigm, and Sina Weibo) and academia/civil society (Xi’an Jiao-tong Liverpool University, Tsinghua University and Nottingham University, and IEEE working group on Algorithm Bias) . Speakers’/organisations’ geographical origins cove both Asia and Europe.
The panel first discussed the AI policy and ethical frameworks developed in China, France as well as by professional organisation- IEEE, and the underpinning importance of developing the ethical standards. It is understood that the ethical framework of AI is still in the process of discussion and formation, there is no compressive standard has been proposed by
Secondly, we discussed the consultation done by the governmental agency such as CNIL (the French Data Protection Authority) in producing digital technology ethics, i.e. the digital republic bill 2016 and its widely inclusive approach in conducting the process. Two important founding principles- fairness and continued attention and vigilance were discussed. Most importantly, we discussed six policy recommendations made by CNIL in how to address the AI ethics.
Finally, three-panel speakers from private sectors including Google, Sina Weibo and 4 Paradigm shared their companies’ policy and practices in addressing AI ethical issues – such as privacy protection, preventing algorithm bias and improving algorithm’s fairness and accountability.
There was broad support for the view that it is important and in need to have international discussions of AI and algorithm’s industrial standards, regulation and ethical guidance. The similar discussions have already been undertaken in different countries and regions. The discussions must include different stakeholders of different backgrounds. And also at the national level, it has to set up a shared ethical code and normative framework.
Panel members also showed concerns on the potential chilling effect on freedom of expression caused by actions taken to refute fake news, an action such as credit rating of online users, when users may not have the capacity to have their stories fact-checked before releasing it.
- Please describe any policy recommendations or suggestions regarding the way forward/potential next steps. [200 words]
The policy recommendations include:
To develop a shared ethical code and normative framework of AI at the private sector as well as at the national level;
Protect minorities’ rights and avoid majoritarian tyranny
Prevent AI from doing evil by developing more powerful regulations tools and more regulations in collecting unethical data.
Different stakeholders from different sectors and disciplines need to be included in the process.
Making algorithmic systems comprehensible
Improving algorithmic system’s design: to prevent the black box effect; to empower individuals with more autonomy
Creating a national platform in order to audit algorithms: To ensure the compliance with the law and the fairness and accountability of AI systems
Increasing incentives for research on ethical AI: to foster research in computer sciences and engineering (such as explainable AI) as well as in social sciences ; to create fairer systems and raise the collective awareness
Strengthening ethics in companies: to organize dialogues between practitioners, specialists, stakeholders and communities involved; to deploy new governance tools such as ethics committees
Construction of moral agency.
Fostering education: to address everyone involved in the algorithmic chain: system developers and designers, professionals, citizens, etc. to make sure everybody understands what is at stake
- What ideas surfaced in the discussion with respect to how the IGF ecosystem might make progress on this issue? [150 words]
The IGF provided an open platform to allow different stakeholders to involve in the debate of AI ethics. This open platform is important for both policy deliberation and public education purposes. It would be helpful if IGF could have more policymakers involved.
- Please estimate the total number of participants.
The total number of participants is between 50-60, which is the maximum capacity the room VII is allowed. Half of the participants queening outside the room was not allowed to enter by the UNESCO staffs (we guess it is because of the safety concern).
- Please estimate the total number of women and gender-variant individuals present.
We had 2/3 participants in the room were men and 1/3 were women.
- To what extent did the session discuss gender issues, and if to any extent, what was the discussion? [100 words]
Our session did not discuss gender issues.
- Session outputs and other relevant links (URLs):
Workshop organisors are exploring funding opportunities for a cross-countries-cross-sector research collaboration in Internet governance and AI ethics based on the session’s discussion.
Participants also reported the session’s discussion and its policy recommendation via their organisations’ platforms.
For instance, the report by the AI company “the 4th Paradigm”:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzAwMjM2Njg2Nw==&mid=2653146249&idx=1&sn=73b254eae8eb33b9ec2891617366668a&chksm=811ce075b66b6963fa6d4ed5f692ae5c074a42dc3826bf25a8e03bf8fc36cfc49b1068126e8a&mpshare=1&scene=1&srcid=1123mjP52tHSJnMwfVjA4vgF#rd