AI Policy Lab starts at Umeå University

"We want to contribute to the responsible implementation and use of artificial intelligence," says Responsible AI Professor Virginia Dignum, Department of Computing Science, Umeå University, who leads the new AI Policy Lab.

ImageHanna Nordin

Virginia Dignum is a worldwide leading expert on responsible AI and has been a member of the EU, UNESCO and World Economic Forum expert panels on AI. Since the end of last year, she is also one of the members of the new UN AI Council. Prof Virginia Dignum highlights that research into AI governance is necessary to anticipate and manage the impact of AI in society.

"AI has an impact on all of us and is being used to support important decisions. This ranges from diagnostics to credit and grant applications, as well as social media and transport infrastructures. Research at the AI Policy Lab will focus on the reciprocal relationship between AI policies and societal changes, ensuring that policies are informed by and responsive to society's evolving needs and values", says Professor Dignum.

Responsible AI

The AI Policy Lab is being partly funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The lab will be a hub bringing researchers from different disciplines, facilitating collaborative research and a trust-building network.

"It will welcome Umeå University researchers from different faculties for short-term fellowships and permanent research staff to integrate ethical, legal, and social considerations in all phases of AI development. Artificial intelligence and its potential should be realized responsibly and beneficially for people and society", Prof Dignum says.

Raise awareness

The AI Policy Lab will provide expert advice on regulations and compliance to support the implementation of effective AI policies. "We want to encourage a dialogue on ethically sustainable AI through workshops, seminars, and training programmes to raise awareness among policymakers, researchers and the public," says Virginia Dignum.