The series of events on Artificial Intelligence (AI) – scheduled to take place at Unicamp until November – began this Monday (9) at the Convention Center, with an alert from the professor of the Computer Science Department at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) Virgílio Almeida.
"In the current context, not just in Brazil, we can conclude that the digital future is full of uncertainties, whether political – national and international –, technological, or related to the impact of these technologies on the social context and the environment," he said at the opening of the Special Forum on AI in Higher Education, held by the Pro-Rectorate of Extension, Sports and Culture (Proeec).
"This future, however, should not be determined by technology companies, but rather by society," the professor warned. "Each country must choose its own. Each country has the ability to define what it wants from this future," he believes.
Unicamp's general coordinator and acting rector, Fernando Coelho, noted that AI is a disruptive technology, and this can provoke feelings of euphoria in some and fear in others. "From the moment it appears disruptive, it presents itself as a panacea; something that can do anything. And that's the big problem; the big risk—that of losing our values," Coelho stated. "That's why this forum is so important: we will thoroughly evaluate the possibilities and issue risk alerts," he reflected.
According to Professor Silvia Furegati, Provost of Outreach, Sports, and Culture, AI has the ability to impose a new reality. "The checks and balances that AI offers us today are mandatory. Professionals cannot avoid this technology and the level of innovation it brings."
The Proeec Forum opens a broad debate on the use of AI in research, teaching, extension, and management activities and is part of the "Unicamp in the Age of AI" event – which will continue on September 10th and 11th, with lectures and roundtables featuring experts, researchers, managers, and external guests.
"I hope we can discuss, here, the most varied issues of this important topic, which has a major impact on society, science, research, and higher education. We need to understand how this impact will unfold and how the University should prepare," said Professor Leonardo Tomazelli, one of the event organizers.
On November 4th, 5th, and 6th, the 2th International Seminar on Curricular Innovations at EA27 will take place, with the theme "Artificial Intelligence, Skills, and Digital Technologies in Higher Education." On November XNUMXth, the Pagu Gender Studies Center will host the "Permanent Forum on Artificial Intelligence, Science, and Ethics: Alternatives for a Less Algorithmic Future."
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