

July 5-6, 2022 │ BOZAR, 23 Rue Ravenstein, 1000 Bruxelles
💡 How do we make sure the future of AI, data, and robotics will serve the Common Good? How should these technologies be implemented to address pressing challenges (like the climate crisis, humanitarian conflicts, and health crisis) while respecting fundamental rights and ethical safeguards? This two-day international conference is Brussels' first public gathering in an attempt to co-shape its AI strategy that is sustainable, inclusive, and comprehensive.
🤖 Who is it for: For students, researchers, professors, policy-makers, civil servants, designers, developers, engineers, advocates interested in making AI, data, and robotics "good" for all
The first day will showcase key presentations on international and local initiatives on AI for the Common Good. The first day will serve as an avenue to stir conversations between international and local experts and policymakers on transforming technologies to the service of people. It will also explore existing scientific, ethical, and legal challenges in the deployment of these technologies.
We invited local and international experts to better understand what the future might hold for the integration of these technologies in society. Day 2 will consist of the following thematic sessions:
Session 1: The EU is getting its AI Act together: How to develop AI systems under the Rule of Law?
Session 2: Are robots sustainable?
Session 3: How to involve and mobilise citizens more around AI, Data and Robotics?
Session 4: How are AI and Data used by and for cities?
The conference content will focus on the following big themes on AI, Data, and Robotics:
On the first day of the conference, we aim to drive the discussion on how AI, data, and robotic technologies could be developed in the service of widely shared ethical ideas. On this plenary session, we will pick the brains of local and international experts on finding how institutions should respond to strike a balance in defining what is “Good for All” through interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogues.
On the first day of the conference, we aim to drive the discussion on how AI, data, and robotic technologies could be developed in the service of widely shared ethical ideas. On this plenary session, we will pick the brains of local and international experts on finding how institutions should respond to strike a balance in defining what is “Good for All” through interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogues.
In this plenary session, we invited local and international organizations to showcase actions taken by local decision-makers to address the use of AI within a city or community.
In this plenary session, we invited local and international organizations to showcase actions taken by local decision-makers to address the use of AI within a city or community.
In this session, we will look through the socio-legal and computer scientific perspectives in the search for ways to increase accountability of high-risk AI systems. How do we ensure that we develop technologies with end-to-end transparency and fairness? How do we ensure that AI, Data, and Robotics made in Brussels and in Europe in general do not lead to systematic disadvantages for marginalized individuals and groups?
In this session, we will look through the socio-legal and computer scientific perspectives in the search for ways to increase accountability of high-risk AI systems. How do we ensure that we develop technologies with end-to-end transparency and fairness? How do we ensure that AI, Data, and Robotics made in Brussels and in Europe in general do not lead to systematic disadvantages for marginalized individuals and groups?
In this session, we aim to answer the grand question of how AI, data, and robotics could help meet humanities’ needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, not only in terms of natural resources but also on a social- and economic- level.
In this session, we aim to answer the grand question of how AI, data, and robotics could help meet humanities’ needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, not only in terms of natural resources but also on a social- and economic- level.
In this session, we seek to stir the discussions in two-fold: (a) how can AI be a tool for citizen awareness and democratic participation? And (b) how can public engagement improve research and developments in AI?
In this session, we seek to stir the discussions in two-fold: (a) how can AI be a tool for citizen awareness and democratic participation? And (b) how can public engagement improve research and developments in AI?
In this session, we aim to address the issues and challenges in the development and integration of these technologies in urban infrastructure and on the behaviour of people living in such smart environments.
In this session, we aim to address the issues and challenges in the development and integration of these technologies in urban infrastructure and on the behaviour of people living in such smart environments.
Meet our international set of speakers and panelists
Maksim will discuss UNESCO's vision towards AI for the Common Good in its latest recommendation for ethical AI
Morten will discuss how AI for the Common Good is key to Europe's technological sovereignty
Lisa will talk about her work in ELSA Lab to combat poverty and debt with the help of Artificial Intelligence
Horst will share successes and challenges in implementing AI for Good in big tech companies such as in Microsoft
Mieke will help surface ways to define and implement AI for the Common Good in the Belgian/ Brussels context
Thérèse will share their story of successfully integrating their traffic robot in the Republic of Congo -- as displayed in the Tervuren museum in Belgium
Stefan will share insights and best practices form New York city on data collaborations to solve problems for the public good.
Hinda will share how Civic AI Lab bring people together to solve societal issues with AI, specifically in the fields of education, welfare, environment, mobility, and health.
Benjamin will give his insights on how well-renowned AI institutions like MILA can contribute for the Common Good.
The sessions will be hosted and moderated by the co-directors and senior research leads of the FARI AI for the Common Good Institute Brussels
You can either register for one day only or both. Please fill out the registration form and subscribe to our alerts for important conference announcements and reminders.
Deadline of registration extended to 1 July, 2022
Sneak peak of the works of our guest speakers
FARI AI for the Common Good Institute is an initiative in the field of Artificial Intelligence (Explainable and Trustworthy), Data (Open) and Robotics (Human-centric). It is led by two universities in Brussels: the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). FARI aims to help citizens, public administrations, politicians and companies as well as not-for-profit organizations to address local, every day or long-term challenges in the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium, and Europe.
If you have any questions or just want to get in touch, use the form below. We look forward to hearing from you!