Undergraduate students in the BSc. in IT (Hons) in AI Degree at the University of Malta recently engaged in a lively debate on the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Divided into four teams, the students tackled four critical areas where AI raises ethical concerns. 'The Future of Work' was the topic of the first debate where the students discussed how AI is transforming the workplace, leading to job displacement and skill reskilling needs. This was followed by a debate on the use of AI in Education, where the students focused on the potential for AI to personalise learning, but also raised concerns about bias and potential harm to students and educators.
Data, Privacy & Security was the theme for the third debate where the students delved into the challenges of protecting personal data in the age of AI, and the need for robust cybersecurity measures. Finally, a debate related to Proxies & Algorithmic Fairness closed the event where the students examined the use of proxies in AI algorithms and the potential for bias and discrimination.
All four debates showcased the critical thinking and analytical skills of the students, as they presented well-researched arguments and engaged in respectful discourse. The audience together with the students’ mentors from the Department of Artificial Intelligence, Prof. Matthew Montebello, Prof. Alexiei Dingli, Dr Vanessa Camilleri and Dr Dylan Seychell, also actively participated, posing insightful questions and challenging the students' viewpoints.
The event highlighted the importance of open and informed dialogue on AI ethics, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach involving academia, industry, and policymakers to ensure that AI is developed and deployed responsibly and ethically.