Forward
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to benefit all sectors of global society, and to aid in many of the world’s greatest challenges, from poverty to environmental sustainability. Achieving these benefits motivates researchers worldwide. However, these benefits can only be achieved through the development of ethics and governance principles, practices and institutions to guide the development and deployment of AI. Around the world, processes, policies, laws and standards are being developed at a national and international level. These bodies of knowledge and practice are being shaped and guided by academic institutions, industries, civil society groups and governments.
The AI ethics and governance work of organisations and countries worldwide are embedded in different cultural contexts, and influenced by different cultural factors. However, these cultural differences provide a diversity of perspectives, and opportunities to learn from one another. As the analects by Confucius say, “Be in harmony, yet be different”. A mutual understanding and trust across cultures must be a foundation for the globally beneficial development of AI. Sharing insights, expertise and different perspectives on the ethics, governance and sustainable development of AI will only become more important as the science and technology of AI advances, and as the use of AI increases in societies worldwide.
As a result, together with partners and collaborators, the International Research center for AI Ethics and Governance at the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences has launched the “Translation Series on AI Ethics, Governance and Sustainable Development”. Important documents from across several languages relating to the ethics and governance of AI, and the applications of AI for sustainable development, will be selected in order to introduce them to readers around the world. We look forward to cross-cultural and cross-language exchanges, and to promoting the harmonious development of AI for humanity the world over.
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Director, International Research Center for AI Ethics and Governance, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Interim Executive Director, Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER), University of Cambridge
Program Director, Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, University of Cambridge
Volume 1
Ethical considerations to guide the use of digital proximity tracking technologies for COVID-19 contact tracing [English Version], [Chinese Version]
Digital proximity tracking technologies have been identified as a potential tool to support contact tracing for COVID-19. However, these technologies raise ethical and privacy concerns. This document, published by WHO, is intended to provide policy-makers and other stakeholders with guidance as to the ethical and appropriate use of digital proximity tracking technologies for COVID-19.
Overcoming Barriers to Cross-cultural Cooperation in AI Ethics and Governance [English Version] [Chinese Version] [Japanese Version]
In order to overcome the barriers on cross-cultural cooperation and promote the global cooperation on AI Ethics and Governance, scholars from University of Cambridge, Beijing Academy of AI (BAAI), China-UK Research Centre for AI Ethics and Governance (ChinUK), Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peking University co-published “Overcoming Barriers to Cross-cultural Cooperation in AI Ethics and Governance” at Philosophy and Technology, a Springer journal.
Facial Recognition and Public Health [English Version], [Chinese Version]
As a disruptive technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been changing all aspects of humanity and society, and is expected to promote the establishment of a “healthy society.” In this regard, the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Safety at the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, in collaboration with the China-UK Research Centre for AI Ethics and Governance of Institute of Automation of Chinese Academy of Sciences, initiated this survey series and study on AI and healthy society, aiming to contribute to the understanding and building of a healthy society driven by AI through research and analysis. Featured as the first report in this Survey Series on Artificial Intelligence and Healthy Society, this report focuses on Facial Recognition and Public Health. The aim of this report is to reflect the focus and thoughts of the general public on this topic, and promote attentions and considerations to AI Ethics and Governance during the development, use, and deployment of facial recognition services for public health.
Volume 0
Governance Principles for the New Generation Artificial Intelligence–Developing Responsible Artificial Intelligence [English Version], [Chinese Version]
In recent years, the rapid development of AI is profoundly changing the way we live and the whole world. In order to promote the healthy development of a new generation of AI, strengthen the study of AI laws, ethics and social issues, and actively promote the global governance of AI, the National Governance Professional Committee on New Generation AI has been established. And in June 2019, the committee released the ” Governance Principles for the New Generation Artificial Intelligence–Developing Responsible Artificial Intelligence” The Principles aim to better coordinate the relationship between the development and governance of AI, ensure that AI is safe, controllable and reliable, promote sustainable development of economy, society and ecology, and build a shared future of humankind. Yi Zeng, Director of the Research Center for AI Ethics and Safety, Beijing Academy of AI is involved to produce the Chinese and English versions of the Governance Principles, as a member of the National Governance Professional Committee on New Generation AI.
Beijing AI Principles [English Version], [Chinese Version]
In order to promote the healthy development of Artificial Intelligence, support the construction of a human community with a shared future, and the realization of beneficial AI for humankind and nature, “Beijing AI Principles” are jointly released by Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Artificial Intelligence Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance, and supported by many other universities, institutions, and industrial corporations.