UNITAR Online Catalogue
Artificial Intelligence: a practical introduction. Emerging Technologies and their Impact on Society and the SDGs
Cross-fertilizing Knowledge
Background
Secretary-General António Gutteres has emphasized the indispensable role of innovation in policy-making process on November 6, 2017: “From my perspective, what is important is to combine innovation and public policy to make sure that innovation works for the good of humankind.” In today’s world, technology is the driving force for innovation. Office of Information Communication Technology (OICT) will be offering a series of 4 lectures covering a variety of topics in order to increase the understandings on technology and how it can facilitate the core of the United Nations.
Participants in these lectures will receive trainings from technology experts from OICT. The courses are designed to help participants better understand the current world’s issues with the help and appliances of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analysis. This lecture’s objective is to develop participants’ capacities, increase participants’ knowledge on modern technologies and eventually, encourage and inspire innovations.
Event Objectives
To enable participants to:
- Gain knowledge on modern technologies and how they could be applied to social issues;
- Understand the implications of technology for sovereignty and economic stability;
- Anticipate and assess the risks and opportunities for the use of technologies in different regions and fields;
- Analyze the benefits technologies could bring for the UN system and how it may change the policy-making process.
Content and Structure
Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence
Ms. Cara LaPointe, Georgetown University
Senior Fellow at the Beeck Center for Social Impact & Innovation
Artificial Intelligence is a topic increasingly mentioned in discussions relating to economics, ethics and policymaking. However, the understanding of this topic ranges widely between the people discussion these matters. This session will provide a practical introduction for participants with little or no computing background.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Citizen Well-being, Economic Development and Governments, a private-sector perspective.
Mr. Sharad Sachdev, CFA, Accenture
Artificial Intelligence North America Lead
Artificial Intelligence is an emerging technology with high potential to exponentially improve productivity in the private and public sectors. It is already showing impact in various facets of people’s lives, as influenced by public and private sector. However, it is also seen as a threat for its potential to cause unemployment and for exacerbating disparities between highly-developed countries and the rest, as well as between highly-skilled workers and the rest. This session will provide an overview of AI applications for Citizens, Communities and Governments which have a positive impact on society. It will share the projected impact of AI on economic and sector growth. It will also introduce the “Responsible AI movement” targeted to ensure responsible use of AI across private and public sectors.
Targeted Audience
This event is open to UN Member States and personnel of the UN System holding a valid UN ID. OICT organizes this ongoing series of conversations to raise knowledge among UN personnel, Civil Society and Member States on innovative ways in which technology can be applied to our work.