Qatar National Library, in partnership with Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), held its second Cultural Salon on 29 May, bringing together prominent academics in the fields of computing and ethics to explore the topic, “Artificial Intelligence: Science, Work, and Ethical Challenges”.
The Cultural Salon began with an insightful discussion that delved into the challenges, opportunities, and ethical considerations that arise as AI reshapes our world within the realms of work, society, and culture. The event was attended by guests from the media and the wider community.
Chaired by Dr. Ahmed K. Almagarmid, Executive Director of the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) at HBKU, the panel featured Dr. Ghanim Al-Sulaiti, a scientist at QCRI and an AI technology expert, and Dr. Mohammed Ghaly, Professor of Islamic Studies and Bioethics at the College of Islamic Studies, HBKU.
Commenting on the event, His Excellency Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library said: "The Cultural Salon at Qatar National Library has made significant strides in its second session, solidifying its position as a prominent platform for intellectual and scholarly dialogue within Qatar's cultural landscape. This success reaffirms the Qatar National Library's role as an influential cultural institution, driving insightful discussions on key trends, developments, and issues spanning various fields of knowledge, both locally and on a regional and global scale."
"Today's session focused on the compelling subject of artificial intelligence technology, which has garnered widespread attention across media outlets, technology platforms, internet companies, and search engines. Recognizing the significance of this technology, our aim was to explore its vast and wide-ranging prospects. This endeavor aligns with the Library's commitment to educate and raise awareness among society about future advancements that profoundly impact individuals in their professional, academic, and daily lives."
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Al Kawari said, "We take great pride in our continued partnership and collaboration with Hamad Bin Khalifa University in organizing these engaging Cultural Salon sessions. This event serves as a vibrant and dynamic channel of communication, facilitating meaningful exchanges among experts, specialists, and the wider public. Not only does it offer a platform for individuals to listen to experts, but it also encourages active participation, fostering discussions, and providing an opportunity for participants to share their ideas, perspectives, and opinions on the topics addressed during the Cultural Salon sessions."
Opening the session with an exciting overview of AI’s evolution in all its complexity, while highlighting its significance and potential impacts, Dr. Almagarmid noted: “At its core, artificial intelligence aims to design and actualize systems that are capable of learning and decision-making autonomously. Subtly yet profoundly, AI has woven itself into our everyday activities, most notably seen in virtual assistants such as Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant. It is leading revolutions across a vast spectrum of fields, effecting transformations that would have been unimaginable a few years ago. Furthermore, AI has become a catalyst in accelerating many routine tasks, enabling humans to shift their focus towards monitoring quality, improving resource scheduling and production, analyzing errors, and continually fine-tuning operations. This notable shift allows for a broadening of the creative horizon, superseding the realm of repetition.”
Sharing his expertise, Dr. Al-Sulaiti focused on the impact of AI on various professions, including medicine, law, education, engineering, design, and accounting. He said: “Artificial intelligence, from my perspective, serves as a powerful tool to augment human abilities, not to replace them. For instance, doctors might employ AI programs to better detect health issues in patients, or teachers might use AI to tailor the learning experience to each student's unique needs. This shows that AI doesn't replace employees but enhances their capability to perform their roles more effectively. Current studies and reports reveal that cognitive, repetitive white-collar jobs are more influenced by AI than manual blue-collar roles. As this technology evolves, we see new job roles rising, like AI ethicists, AI system trainers, and AI maintenance specialists - positions that were unheard of just a decade ago. This stands as a testament to AI's potential to spawn entirely new industries and professions.”
For his part, Dr. Ghaly presented a comprehensive exploration of the ethical dimensions of AI. He said: “Ethical discourse on AI is still in its infancy, with most responses to date being brief and specific to certain concerns or questions. However, as we look at the current landscape and anticipate future developments, it's apparent that AI technologies are adding complexity to these ethical matters. The universally accepted ethical principles such as justice, transparency, and respect for privacy are often broadly and ambiguously defined, leading to little room for disagreement, even among tech giants. A concerning scenario emerges when 'knowledge production' transforms into a commercial market dominated by these technology behemoths, which can accumulate significant intellectual property and decide who can access or benefit from the monopolized knowledge. This development poses substantial challenges not just to principles, but to their application in a way that resonates with diverse cultures and religious beliefs. However, there's hope that public awareness of these risks will grow, potentially putting pressure on these companies to alter their behavior concerning these ethical aspects.”
The expert talks led into a wider exchange with attendees in the audience. The interactions further enriched the dialogue with a diverse range of views and concerns around the impact of AI on privacy, freedom, and ethics.
The Cultural Salon was launched with the aim of creating an open public space that promotes dialogue, enriches culture and raises public awareness. In its second edition, the event succeeded in fostering a dynamic, multifaceted exchange of ideas with the potential to help shape understanding of the potential implications of AI applications on Arab and Muslim societies.
For a complete list of all QNL events, please visit the Library’s website (www.qnl.qa/en/events) or the QNL mobile app, which is available globally to download for free from the App Store on iOS devices and Google Play for Android.
