5th December 2024, 14:30 – 19:00, Sala Convegni Fondazione PescarAbruzzo, Pescara
6th December 2024, 10:00 – 18:00, Auditorium Cianfarani, Chieti

Throughout the history of western thought, anthropocentric perspectives have generated numerous issues related to inequality, domination, and exploitation. Recognizing these difficulties, which are inherent to humanistic discourse, becomes crucial to reflect on how to interpret the current call for human-centeredness in AI ethics. It is essential to avoid reproducing the hierarchies, discriminations, exclusions, and socio-political and economic subjugation that anthropocentrism has often fostered over the centuries.

It is therefore fundamental to envision a model of artificial intelligence based on a form of “humanism” that prioritizes the well-being of communities in the broadest sense. In this context, the concept of vulnerability in the interaction between humans and machines may provide an answer to the risks of an uncritical approach to human-centeredness. Recognizing vulnerability as a primary human characteristic could offer a valuable perspective to counteract dynamics of domination. This is particularly relevant because AI systems themselves are not free from vulnerabilities, as they are not always reliable or error-free. However, the crucial point remains that only humans can experience real harm. A person who trusts an AI system to perform certain actions becomes vulnerable; if the system fails, the goal of human-machine interaction is not achieved, demonstrating that trust has not been sufficiently anchored in a concrete understanding of this interaction.

This two-day conference aims to establish guidelines for a holistic management of vulnerability, proposing a model that goes beyond classical anthropocentrism. The objective is to explore a new idea of humanism founded on vulnerability, one capable of shaping ethical discourse on emerging technologies and artificial intelligence. Focusing on the shared fragilities of humans and AI systems could provide deeper understanding and more effective recommendations for using technologies in a way that is safe, sustainable, and responsible for the benefit of our future.

The conference is organized as part of the Prin PNRR project “Digital Transition and Human Values”. Contributions from the event will be published in a collective volume.

Here is the flyer and QR code to join online