NEWS Umeå researcher and AI expert Virginia Dignum guest lectured and participated in the Pontifical Academy of Sciences' Biennial 2024 in the Vatican. The group met to discuss how science, technology, and especially artificial intelligence, AI, can help tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the world. “I am deeply honored that I was able to participate," she says.
Photos from Virginia Dignum's visit to the Vatican at the end of September.
ImageVirginia DignumThe papal academy of sciences has the mission to honor science, protect its freedom, and promote research for the advancement of science. Every other year, the academy gathers for scientific discussions, and this year Umeå researcher Virginia Dignum was invited as a guest.
The theme of the event was "Science for Sustainability and Well-being in the Anthropocene", where the Anthropocene is the period where human activities have reshaped the planet with everything from climate change to biodiversity loss.
“We met to talk about how science, technology, and especially AI, can help tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our planet today, that is the Anthropocene and biodiversity. Our focus was how science can help us deal with and even reverse some of the damage,” says Virginia Dignum.
AI can be a game-changer for science and innovation, but we need to be aware of its potential drawbacks
She believes that AI is a powerful tool that is already changing the way we live, work and solve difficult problems.
“AI can help us with major global challenges. At the meeting, we saw examples of how it can make agriculture more sustainable, improve climate forecasts and speed up medical research. But AI also has a downside – if it is developed and used irresponsibly, it can exacerbate problems such as inequality and environmental challenges,” says Virginia Dignum.
Virginia Dignum's talk during the biennial discussed how to make AI develop in a way that benefits everyone.
“AI can be a game-changer for science and innovation, but we need to be aware of its potential drawbacks,” says Virginia Dignum.
The event in the Vatican brings together experts from all fields – climate scientists, ethicists, engineers, theologians and more.
“I am deeply honored that I was able to participate. We are at a pivotal moment, where the choices we make will shape the future – not just for AI, but for humanity and our planet. Let us ensure that these choices are responsible.”
“Unfortunately, the Pope was ill on the day he was supposed to meet us, so it was cancelled, but the meeting was very relevant anyway!”
With a busy schedule, Virginia Dignum is also attending the World Summit AI in Amsterdam and chairing a session on AI future at the World Economic Forum in Dubai.
The Academy consists of 80 members appointed for life by that Pope. One of them is Emmanuelle Charpentier, Nobel Laureate and Honorary Doctor at Umeå University. The members are chosen from among the most prominent scientists and researchers in the mathematical and experimental sciences of all countries in the world, without any form of ethnic or religious discrimination. 36 countries are currently represented.
