AI Research and Practice Gathering
The Participatory AI Research & Practice Symposium (PAIRS) is set to take place on February 8th, before the Paris AI Action Summit. Organized by the Tech & Global Affairs Innovation Hub, this independent event aims to present research and case studies on participatory development and governance of AI.
PAIRS brings together international researchers, policymakers, activists, and community organizers for a pluralistic conversation. The symposium's objective is to build stronger connections across the field of participatory AI practices and to explore practical grassroots and global approaches to democratizing AI governance.
The focus of PAIRS is on the conditions of public trust in AI systems and feedback loops between developers, regulators, civil society organizations, and the public. The symposium will have three core tracks: Participatory AI Development, Participatory AI Governance, and Participation, Power, and Resistance.
In the Participatory AI Development track, speakers such as Naftali Ndeapo Indongo (Namibia University of Science and Technology, UNESCO Chair for Indigenous Knowledge Research Cluster), Jeremy Boy (UNDP), Tina M. Park (Partnership on AI), and Jess Reia & Pedro Augusto Pereira Francisco (University of Virginia) will share insights.
The Participation, Power, and Resistance Panel will feature Bobina Zulfa (Pollicy), Suzy Madigan (Responsible AI Lead, CARE International), Eloïse Gabadou, Andreas Katsanevas, Ali Cirone, Alice Siu, and Jess Heal (Meta), and Blair Attard-Frost (University of Toronto) & Ana Brandusescu (McGill University).
The Concluding panel will see contributions from Susan Aaronson (George Washington University), Estelle Hary (RMIT University), Sonam Jindal (Partnership on AI), Soizic Pénicaud (Independent), Clarie Alspektor & David Mas (Make.org).
PAIRS's core objectives relating to participatory development and governance of AI include shifting power dynamics, supporting distributed authority, facilitating iterative knowledge exchange, ensuring contextual privacy protections, and addressing resource constraints. These aims reflect PAIRS's broader mission to develop participatory AI methodologies that ground AI system development and governance in equitable, community-led practices.
This symposium promises to be a significant step towards a more inclusive and equitable future of AI, where public voices and affected communities have a meaningful role in shaping AI systems and policies. A preliminary online session of the symposium is taking place on January 30 (2pm - 4pm UTC). Don't miss out on this opportunity to engage in a crucial conversation about the future of AI.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a major focus of the Participatory AI Research & Practice Symposium (PAIRS), with discussions centered around public trust in AI systems and AI governance. Various AI experts, including Naftali Ndeapo Indongo from the Namibia University of Science and Technology, will share insights in the Participatory AI Development track of the symposium, aligning with PAIRS's objective of democratizing AI governance.
