8 December 2020
December 8th, MGIMO organized an online international conference “AI Global Dimension: Governance Challenges” bringing together experts in artificial intelligence from different fields including research institutions, state agencies, international organizations and business.
MGIMO’s Vice-Rector for General Affairs A.Malgin and the Representative of the Presidential Administration S.Zakharova opened the meeting, which was moderated by A.Abramova, Head of the Department of Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence of the ADV Group of Companies, Associate Professor at the Department of International Economic Relations and Foreign Economic Affairs.
In his welcome speech, the Vice-Rector remarked that “today MGIMO is one of the most international universities in the country and being international means being digital”. MGIMO is actively involved in the study and development of artificial intelligence technologies. The University houses a department of the ADV group which implements a program for training experts specialized in the practical application of artificial intelligence in business; a unique master's program created under the patronage of recognized leaders in Internet technologies and marketing: ADV Marketing Communications, Microsoft and NVIDIA.
S.Zakharova spoke about state policy related to AI: “Russia attaches a great importance to global cooperation in the development of AI technology and is ready to actively participate in the creation of international agreements in this area. Today, it is important to properly use the capabilities of AI, to create the necessary foundations for the safe development of technology, so that it carries a creative force and contributes to the development of humanity’s potential and abilities. In Russia, all national processes in this area are built on the principles of openness, maximum involvement of scientists, development companies and government agencies. It is in this format, which relies on the professional community, that work has started, on behalf of the Russian President, to develop a Russian code of ethics in the field of artificial intelligence."
The first session of the conference dealt with the different international approaches to artificial intelligence: the participants discussed how to strike a balance between preventing risks and seizing opportunities. The Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry I.Timokhov, the Deputy Director of the Department for Cooperation of the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of Russia N.Babekina, the Director of Information Society – Action against Crime, Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe J.Kleijssen, the representative of the OECD Artificial Intelligence Policy Observatory, and its Digital Economy Policy Unit L.Galindo-Romero gave presentations.
The conference comprised the sections “AI international approaches: in search for balance in risk prevention and seizing opportunities”, “AI: The Game for Business” and “AI Coordinate System for Further Research and Development Trajectory”.
The participants discussed issues related to new risks and opportunities in the deployment of modern AI systems, the necessity and proportionality of introducing legal regimes and codes of ethics in this rapidly developing digital field, as well as the initiatives and activities of major international organizations in the field of artificial intelligence.
