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Experts gathered at the IV Global Forum @ Casa de Campo highlighted the significant advancements, risks, and problems generated by the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the 21st century. Held on April 14th, 2023, at Casa de Campo, the event featured a keynote appearance by the Robot Sophia, a humanoid capable of displaying human expressions and interacting with people, helping to promote public debate on AI ethics and the future of robotics.

The forum’s theme was “Artificial Intelligence: Progress or Threat to Humanity?” Former President of the Dominican Republic and President of Funglode explained the forum’s goal, emphasizing that “like the internet, artificial intelligence is a technology that has come to stay.”

In his speech, Fernández noted that AI had the potential to improve our lives and had already been utilized to develop tools that detect cancer early, calculate the potential risks and benefits of investments, and develop humanoid robots that can be used in industries like space and underwater exploration.

However, he stressed that research and development in AI must be refocused to make today’s powerful and cutting-edge systems more accurate, secure, transparent, interpretable, reliable, and loyal. He also dispelled myths about AI, stating that it does not pose an existential risk to humanity and that machines are incapable of thinking for themselves.

Funglode intends to develop a series of initiatives following the forum, including a teacher training program for AI from kindergarten to high school in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and George Mason University. They also plan to design collaboration programs with national and international universities and research centers to apply AI programs that can serve the development of industries, service areas, and health centers.

The forum included speeches from other experts such as Dr. Jeanne Lim, President of Being AI, who talked about “AI Beings: Coevolving with Humanity,” and Dr. David Hanson, President of Hanson Robotics, who discussed “Human Emulation in AI and Robots for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Machine Sentience through Human-like Embodiment and Integrating Humanities.” Ulrike Till, Director of Intellectual Property and the Division of Cutting-Edge Technologies at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), discussed the measures being taken by governments regarding AI regulation.

If you wish to watch the recording of the IV Global Forum @ Casa de Campo, please click on this link.