NEWS On October 17 and 18, TAIGA (Center for Transdisciplinary AI) at Umeå University held a symposium focused on "Wicked Problems and AI." Over two days, researchers from different fields and participants discussed how AI can both assist and hinder us in addressing some of the most complex problems we face as a society, particularly issues where reaching consensus seems near impossible.
Johanna Lönngren, Associate Professor of Natural Sciences, gives a talk on wicked problems at the symposium at Umeå University.
ImageHanna Nordin– Wicked problems are dilemmas characterized by complexity and uncertainty. When we talk about these dilemmas, value and interest conflicts arise, making it impossible to achieve consensus on how the problems should be defined and what can be considered "good" actions to address them, explains Johanna Lönngren, associate professor of natural science, who opened the symposium.
Examples of wicked problems include climate change, misinformation, and global inequality. The question is whether AI will exacerbate these issues, or if the technology can contribute to finding solutions. Markus Naarttijärvi, professor of law and interim director of TAIGA at Umeå University, explains that questions like these are at the core of TAIGA:s work. With the motto AI for the good of all the center strives to promote transdisciplinary collaboration and support research on how AI can be utilized to tackle difficult dilemmas, while also highlighting the challenges that the technology presents.
– AI itself can be seen as a wicked problem, which by definition are problems that are so complex or intricate that they basically require transdisciplinary approaches to understand, which we as a transdisciplinary center want to work with, states Markus Naarttijärvi.
Interactive demonstration of three pepper robots having a discussion, by the Intelligent Robotics group at Umeå University
ImageHanna Nordin
Ylva Ferneus, Petter Ericson, Leila Methnani, Kalle Grill and Jannice Käll in a panel discussion on AI, moderated by Dimitri Coelho Mollo.
ImageHanna Nordin
On Thursday, several presentations and interactive demonstrations led to a summarizing panel discussion. Jannice Käll, associate professor in sociology of law at Lund University, Nina Khairova, professor of computer science, and Kalle Grill, associate professor of philosophy at Umeå University, highlighted in their respective talks how AI impacts legislation, misinformation, and ethical dilemmas.
Discussions centered around the potential of the technology to both support and challenge our values and priorities, as well as how future AI can be designed to address moral dilemmas in a respectful way. The importance of including diverse perspectives and experiences in the development process was emphasized to ensure that AI systems truly reflect society's diversity and ethical standards.
On Friday, participants gathered at the Arts Campus for talks and workshops in collaboration with UmArts and Bildmuseet. Sarah Cook, WASP-HS visiting professor at UmArts, presented wicked problems related to AI-generated art. In her presentation, she highlighted how generative AI is changing the creation of art and raising new questions about what creativity means in the age of AI.
Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, an artist exploring the human relationship with nature and technology, presented her current exhibition Machine Auguries at the Bildmuseet. By simulating natural sounds, the exhibition reflects on how we can use technology to manipulate, or even replace, elements in our natural ecosystems. This raises questions about where the boundary lies between the possibilities of technology and nature's own balance.
WASP-HS Professor Sarah Cook and artist Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg in a conversation about making art in the age of AI.
ImageHanna NordinThe symposium concluded with a call for continued interdisciplinary collaboration to address the ethical and societal challenges posed by AI. Markus Naarttijärvi also emphasized Umeå University's already strong tradition in this field.
– Umeå has a robust interdisciplinary tradition. It was encouraging to see that the symposium quickly became fully booked and that interest has been so high. Moreover, discussions continued both during breaks and after the symposium concluded. This highlights the relevance of these issues and the value of coming together to discuss these broader questions that we cannot always address within our respective research fields, he concludes.
TAIGA - Center for Transdisciplinary AI is a cross-faculty center at Umeå University dedicated to promoting research in artificial intelligence through transdisciplinary collaboration. The center focuses on providing meeting places, activities, and support to inspire and guide researchers, educators, and students in AI research.
