UTAS opts for ISESCO research chair in AI Ethics

Jeddah: The University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) on Wednesday signed a cooperation agreement with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) to host the ISESCO Research Chair for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics.

The agreement was signed during the ISESCO Executive Council’s meeting held as part of the organisation’s 44th session, being convened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 16 to 18 January 2024. Dr. Said Hamad Al Rubaie, President of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, said that the ISESCO Research Chair constitutes a general ethical framework for promoting the values of justice, humanity and participation in the use of technology and artificial intelligence.

This, he explained, enhances the Chair’s comprehensive global nature and its positive impact on the system of community values.

Dr. Ali Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology, said that the ISESCO Chair for AI Ethics, serves as a step forwards in the strategic partnership with the Ministry’s governance of AI and the study of the principles and ethics regulating its proper use in different spheres.

Dr. Said Salim Jaboob, Vice Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies, Scientific Research, and Innovation, UTAS, said that the Chair seeks to encourage research and development, augment the capacity of research and innovation in the field of ethics and support academic efforts to develop research programmes that keep pace with the challenges posed by the technological revolution at the level of artificial intelligence.

The Chair would also provide an opportunity to view best practices on the implementation and governance of AI applications, Jaaboub added.