Artificial Intelligence Ethics for Well-being (AI4Well)

General Overview

AI4Well aims to explore Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethics for well-being based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing insights to support their implementation. The project team will propose panels on the ethical challenges of AI, conduct a social experiment involving AI, and organise training workshops on AI ethics, focusing on developing the skills needed to implement AI ethics. The project will conclude with a final seminar and the design of a small training course, such as micro-credentials, on AI ethics to be shared within EUniWell.

Purpose and Significance

AI is profoundly disrupting technologies, education, and research, making it essential to consider its impact on human well-being, human rights, and sustainable development. Within universities, AI is already a crucial technology. While it offers significant benefits, it also poses considerable risks that must be addressed. AI4Well aims to explore these ethical challenges in relation to social and planetary well-being. 

The project will structure and design a training course on AI and AI ethics, providing approaches to develop the necessary skills for implementing AI ethics. This course will be offered within individual EUniWell universities, other educational contexts, and business environments. AI4Well aligns with EUniWell's mission and vision by providing guidance to prevent human suffering and suggesting a clear direction to follow.

An AI-generated compass that instead of pointing north, points to "Ethical decision".

© Image by Mykhailo Kolisnyk, Pixabay, AI-generated

Implementation Method and Timeline

The project will use a methodology tested in the previous Seed Funding Project “StudentWell”. This approach, based on mindfulness, focuses on creating an open, serene, and listening climate that promotes well-being in work and education. AI4Well will also integrate a transdisciplinary approach to ensure a holistic exploration of the topic.

June - July 2024

  • Multidisciplinary panels on AI ethics for well-being and assessment of practical feasibility.
  •  Organisation of an expert group on SDG-related ethics challenges for digital well-being.

August - October 2024

  • Drafting of a preliminary results report
  •  Design of four workshops on:
    •  AI social experiment
    •  AI and AI ethics
    •  AI ethics for well-being based on SDGs
    • Inner and acting skills supporting AI ethics implementation

November - December 2024

  • Delivery of the four workshops.

January - March 2025

  • Drafting of an open-access publication
  • Evaluation of funding and future developments
  • Drafting the training course based on the workshops conducted

April - May 2025

  • Concluding seminar

Expected Outcomes

AI4Well aims to define effectively implementable AI ethics for well-being based on the SDGs. The project team will assess AI compliance and identify ways to facilitate its implementation by developing inner and acting skills across the entire AI ecosystem. A specialised training course will be developed based on the conducted workshops and made available within EUniWell and other settings. Additionally, an open-access publication and a concluding seminar are planned.

Contact:

Silvio De Magistris, University of Florence