Responsible Artificial Intelligence
The topic of Responsible Artificial Intelligence has been an integral part of the University of Freiburg's research since 2018. The corresponding FRIAS research focus of the 2018/19 academic year gave rise to the FRIAS Saltus! group "Responsible Artificial Intelligence", which deals with normative and philosophical foundations as well as ethical, legal and social challenges of the interaction of humans with intelligent systems.
With the Saltus! Group program, the University of Freiburg particularly supports research projects from the university's interdisciplinary profile and potential fields that are characterized by outstanding scientific performance and great innovation potential.
Current research and transfer activities resulting from the FRIAS research focus group and the Saltus! Group can be found on the Responsible AI website.
REVIEW OF THE BEGINNINGS OF THE RESEARCH FOCUS GROUP
Organisers
- Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Wolfram Burgard
Department of Computer Science, University of Freiburg
Autonomous Intelligent Systems Lab
E-mail: burgard@informatik.uni-freiburg.de
- Dr. med. Philipp Kellmeyer
Department of Neurosurgery
University of Freiburg – Medical Center
Translational Neurotechnology Lab (AG Ball)
E-mail: philipp.kellmeyer@uniklinik-freiburg.de
- Prof. Dr. Oliver Müller
Department of Philosophy, University of Freiburg
Cluster of Excellence BrainLinks-BrainTools
Bernstein Center Freiburg
E-mail: oliver.mueller@philosophie.uni-freiburg.de - Prof. Dr. Silja Vöneky
Institute of Public Law, Department 2 – Public International Law and Ethics of Law
University of Freiburg
E-mail: svoeneky@jura.uni-freiburg.de
Abstract
Intelligent systems capable of autonomous behavior and self-learning, whether in medical devices or self-driving vehicles, are the core technology behind the next wave of industrial innovation. In this research focus, we will jointly investigate ethical, legal, philosophical and social aspects, including benefits and risks in a broad sense, of this impending transformation from different perspectives. In the legal and governance domain, for example, we will examine national and international legislations, regulations, and treaties, as well as soft law norms and codes of conduct, on whether they are adequate for governing the interactions between humans and intelligent systems and for adjudicating liability. We will also study algorithmic and hardware mechanisms for safeguarding users of intelligent software and robots. With respect to philosophical questions, we will study the impact of these technologies on ethical theories and concepts of agency and action. The project provides a foundational nucleus for the interdisciplinary study of ethical, legal, social and other aspects of autonomous intelligent systems at the University of Freiburg.
News
In German
Regeln für Ungeregeltes? Aktuelle Herausforderungen durch Forschung und Technik
für das Völkerrecht im 21. Jahrhundert
Prof. Dr. Silja Vöneky, FIP 2/2018, 24 S.
Artikel online abrufbar hier
Four ethical priorities for neurotechnologies and AI
Philipp Kellmeyer publishes article in Nature News, November 8th, 2017
Full article available online
Yuste, R., Goering, S., Bi, G., Carmena, J. M., Carter, A., Fins, J. J., ... & Kellmeyer, P. (2017). Four ethical priorities for neurotechnologies and AI. Nature News, 551(7679), 159.
In German
Hirndaten: Wie schützen wir unsere Gedanken vor Facebook & Co?
Philipp Kellmeyer im Gespräch mit Ute Welty, Deutschlandfunk Kultur, Sendung vom 5.12.2017
Mitschnitt des Radiointerviews
„Wir brauchen eine Debatte über den Umgang mit Hirndaten“
Philipp Kellymeyer im Interview mit Anna Schughart von der Zeitschrift WIRED, Artikel vom 22.11.2017
Artikel online abrufbar hier