The AI Fairness Conference addresses the urgent global need to examine the ethical and societal challenges posed by artificial intelligence. As AI technologies become deeply embedded in our daily lives, concerns around bias, discrimination, and the lack of diversity in their development have grown. Co-organized by the AEQUITAS Project and the FAIR Project, this one-day event brings together leading experts from the fields of artificial intelligence, ethics, and policy to discuss critical challenges in ensuring fairness in AI technologies.
Taking place on December 6, 2024, in Bologna, Italy, the conference will offer a multidisciplinary perspective on topics like bias in AI, stereotypes, and discrimination in digital technologies. Attendees will benefit from insightful keynotes, engaging panel discussions, and networking opportunities with experts shaping the future of responsible AI.
📅 The event will take place on December 6th, 2024
📍 Aula Poeti, Palazzo Hercolani, Str. Maggiore, 45, 40125 – Bologna, Italy.
Keynote Speakers
We are pleased to announce the following confirmed keynote speakers:
Payal Arora is a Professor of Inclusive AI Cultures at Utrecht University and co-founder of FemLab, a feminist futures of work initiative and the Inclusive AI Lab. She is a leading digital anthropologist with two decades of user-experience among underrepresented groups, especially in the Global South. She is the author of award-winning books including ‘The Next Billion Users’ with Harvard Press. Forbes called her the ‘next billion champion’ and the ‘right kind of person to reform tech.’ About 150 international media outlets have covered her work including The BBC, Financial Times, and The Economist. She sits on several advisory boards including for the UN EGOV, UNESCO-UNICEF and for the ICRIER Prosus Centre for Internet and Digital Economy. Her new book ‘From Pessimism to Promise: Lessons from the Global South on Designing Inclusive Tech” is now out with MIT Press and Harper Collins. She is Indian, American, and Irish, and currently lives in Amsterdam.
In her keynote, Payal Arora will discuss how digital technologies are shaped by WEIRD societies (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) and the need to create more inclusive AI. Drawing from her book “From Pessimism to Promise: Lessons from the Global South on Designing Inclusive Tech”, she will explore the social challenges of debiasing algorithms and integrating local cultures into AI, emphasizing that the future of AI should serve all people and the planet.
Ivana Bartoletti is an internationally recognized expert in privacy, ethics, and the governance of artificial intelligence. She is a thought leader in AI ethics, focusing on the intersection of technology and human rights. As the Global Chief Privacy Officer at Wipro, Ivana advises organizations on data protection, AI, and privacy regulations. She is also a published author and an advocate for responsible AI practices, regularly speaking on topics such as AI fairness, bias, and the societal impacts of emerging technologies. Ivana is committed to promoting ethical frameworks that ensure technology serves the public good.
Ivana Bartoletti will delve into the evolving discussion surrounding fairness in impactful AI applications and decision-making processes. She will examine the risk of viewing AI fairness as a cure-all for intricate social problems. Additionally, she will emphasize the opportunities and challenges related to fairness and bias mitigation, particularly at the intersection of privacy, anti-discrimination, and human rights legislation.
Event Draft Program
The AI Fairness Conference will offer an exciting blend of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities:
(Additional speakers and details will be confirmed soon)
How can I participate?
Secure your spot for the AI Fairness Event today! While attendance is free, registration is required. In-person participation is limited to 120 attendees, but once this limit is reached, you’ll still have the opportunity to join us virtually. Don’t miss out—register now!
Join us in Bologna or online for an immersive journey into the world of AI fairness! Whether you’re an AI researcher, policymaker, or industry expert, this event provides a unique platform for learning, collaboration, and advancing fair AI practices. Stay tuned for updates and program details and be sure to mark your calendar for December 6, 2024!
For more information or questions, please contact AEQUITAS coordinator at roberta.calegari@unibo.it
Do you want to participate in this event?
register here