A new frontier in artificial intelligence research is being explored with a significant investment in a European initiative led by University College Dublin’s Centre for Digital Policy. The FORSEE project, an acronym for Forging Successful AI Applications for European Economy and Society, is poised to launch in February 2025 with a robust budget of €3 million provided under the Horizon Europe programme. This initiative is timely and crucial as artificial intelligence continues to evolve and integrate deeper into various sectors of society and the economy.
Artificial intelligence has become an integral part of modern technology, driving transformations across multiple domains such as healthcare, finance, transport, and many others. However, the benefits that AI brings are coupled with a myriad of risks that society must navigate. The FORSEE project aims to delve into these complexities, exploring not just the technical prowess of AI but also its broader societal implications. By expanding the notion of “success” in AI beyond mere technological and economic metrics, the project aims to foster a more nuanced understanding of AI’s role in shaping European society.
At the core of the FORSEE project is the recognition that AI technologies must be critically assessed regarding their ethical and societal impacts. As these technologies grow increasingly sophisticated, determining their success involves evaluating their sustainability, economic fairness, and the degree to which they engage with and empower civil society. This shift in focus is essential in creating adaptable regulatory frameworks that can respond to the challenges posed by rapid advancements in technology.
Under the guidance of Dr. Elizabeth Farries, the project will convene an impressive consortium of eight partners, including esteemed universities and research institutions from six different countries. This collaborative effort will aggregate a diverse range of perspectives and expertise, ensuring that the research is comprehensive and accounts for various disciplines surrounding AI. Dr. Farries emphasizes that the joint endeavor will foster new insights into what constitutes effective governance in the realm of AI, enhancing our regulatory strategies.
A significant aspect of the project’s mandate lies in engaging stakeholders from various sectors, including academic circles, civil society organizations, and institutional bodies. By highlighting the current benchmarks of AI success, the FORSEE team aims to identify potential discrepancies between existing AI applications and the evolving priorities of the EU. This reflection is critical for facilitating long-term planning and responsiveness to both economic and societal changes resulting from AI deployments.
As artificial intelligence blooms, its integration poses challenges, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that may not have the resources to fully utilize these technologies. The FORSEE project intends to investigate the conditions that either facilitate or impede success for these businesses, providing policymakers with vital tools and recommendations to navigate future challenges and seize opportunities arising from AI advancements.
Professor Niamh Moore-Cherry, acting as Principal of UCD College of Social Sciences and Law, expresses her excitement about the project, noting that it represents a pivotal moment in understanding the intersection of AI technology and its multifaceted implications. As the development of AI accelerates, so too does the urgency for academic institutions to contribute meaningfully to policy-making discussions. Engaging in this discourse will generate foundational knowledge that can inform future policies and frameworks concerning AI governance in Europe.
The empirical groundwork laid by the FORSEE project aims to emerge as a key resource for European policymakers, shedding light on critical dimensions of AI deployment and governance. Research participants, including Co-PI Professor Eugenia Siapera, underline the project’s goal of evolving a fair, equitable, and sustainable approach to AI regulation that resonates with both institutional priorities and societal expectations.
What sets the FORSEE project apart is its commitment to building an interdisciplinary alliance that marries insights from commonly disparate fields such as legal studies, political economy, and computational social sciences. This blend of knowledge streams will help articulate a comprehensive understanding of AI’s current landscape while also forecasting future developments. The participation of UCD researchers, including noted academics like Prof Aphra Kerr and Dr. Arjumand Younus, further reinforces the project’s commitment to high-quality, rigorous research.
The collaborative nature of the project offers an opportunity for participants to share knowledge and best practices, ensuring that outcomes benefit not only the research community but society at large. This networked approach enhances the capacity to respond effectively to emerging problems and trends in AI technology, maximizing the project’s potential impact on public policy.
Finally, a clear communication strategy will ensure that the findings of the FORSEE project are accessible to a broad audience. Engaging with the media and public discourse will amplify the project’s reach, promoting a robust dialogue on the critical issues surrounding AI’s societal implications. Addressing the queries and concerns of stakeholders is vital to fostering an environment of trust and transparency regarding emerging technologies.
The FORSEE project stands as a beacon of innovation within the realm of AI research. By advocating for a broader understanding of success and engaging across disciplinary boundaries, it seeks to redefine the trajectories of AI governance, ultimately contributing to a safer, more equitable future for European societies.
Subject of Research: FORSEE Project on AI and Society
Article Title: Pioneering a New Vision for AI: The FORSEE Project
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Image Credits: Jason Clarke Photography
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Governance, Policy, Europe, Sustainability, Regulation, Societal Impact, Research, Technology
