Artificial intelligence and its impact on our daily activities
Much ado about just a new "tool" or the most important invention since the steam engine? On 15 March 2023, the first event in a series of events organised by Salzburg's universities in cooperation with the Knowledge Transfer Centre West was dedicated to a hot topic: the impact of artificial intelligence on our everyday lives.
The explosive nature of the topic and the fact that the discussion has arrived in the university context and in our society was demonstrated by the full Small Studio at the Mozarteum University.
After a short welcome by Doris Fuschlberger, Rector Elisabeth Gutjahr opened the evening with greetings and inspiring thoughts, including questions about the concept of intelligence, the demarcation of human and artificial intelligence, the idea of a dynamic concept of intelligence in the area of tension between (intelligent) behaviour, standardisation and creativity, and also communication skills that integrate aspects such as curiosity or even chance.
AI-based technologies are already integrated in many areas of our lives - perceived consciously or unconsciously - in navigation on our smartphones, on online platforms, to influence our shopping behaviour, in cars or industrial plants, and will increasingly occupy further areas. All panelists agreed that it is crucial that we take a reflective and critical look at and deal with AI, coupled with the awareness that AI systems neither think nor act emotionally, but (only) process existing data. Artistic processes and results can imitate these systems, but crucial components of artistic creativity are missing: intuition, emotion and everything that arises in the interaction of people. The principle in the development and use of AI must be that AI systems are developed and used transparently and ethically to ensure that they support society as a whole. Fed with "wrong information", these tools can be dangerous and undermine democratic principles.
In terms of content, this panel discussion around artificial intelligence could hardly have been broader, many relevant aspects were addressed and widespread (mis)assumptions were also demystified. Put simply, the essence of the discussion could be that an interdisciplinary discussion and illumination of artificial intelligence is a priority: a consideration of as many perspectives as possible in order to be able to recognise the complexity of the (possible) effects. The arts and artists have a decisive role to play here. Their critical and sensitive view is important in order to perceive intermediate and border areas that are often not superficial.
Artificial intelligence & its impact on our daily activities
Keynote speech
Seda Röder
CEO Sonophilia Foundation & The Mindshift
Moderation
Doris Fuschlberger
Office of the Salzburg Provincial Government, Project Manager Digitalisation Offensive Provincial Museums
Panel discussion with:
- Elisabeth Gutjahr
Rector of the University Mozarteum Salzburg - King Ross
Head of Competence Unit Data Science & AI, AIT - Stefan Wegenkittl
Scientific Director for Business Informatics and Applied Image and Signal Processing as well as Head of the Department of Applied Mathematics and Data Mining - Eva Jonas
Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences at Paris Lodron University Salzburg
The event was organised by the Human Resources Development of the Mozarteum University in cooperation with the human resources development institutions of the members of the Salzburg University Conference and the Knowledge Transfer Centre West.