How do algorithms affect our job prospects? What is the role of Artificial Intelligence within Netflix? And do companies get to decide what you see on social media? The social aspects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are increasingly raising societal questions. The Erasmus Initiative "Societal Impact of AI," established in 2021, aims to bring together knowledge around AI from different disciplines and sectors and answer these questions.
"Within the new Erasmus Initiative 'Societal Impact of AI,' aka AiPact, we work transdisciplinarily. The societal challenges surrounding AI are our starting point, not our own background or discipline. We want to bring together the knowledge around AI so that the whole society can benefit optimally from the opportunities of AI while reducing the adverse effects of AI for different groups," says Prof. Moniek Buijzen, Academic Lead at the Initiative.
The Erasmus Initiative supports eight projects across four domains: AI in art and culture, communication, healthcare, and work and labor market. The latter domain focuses on how work and organizing changes because of AI, as well as the human labor required for AI. This is closely aligned with the ongoing research projects of Prof. Dr. Claartje ter Hoeven, Program Line Leader of this domain. "Scientists predicted years ago that by 2025 half of our work will be done by robots. Judy Wajcman wrote a book review on books with these kinds of predictions in them. In her review, she says something like, 'All these authors shy away from the extent to which technologies are not facilitating less work but more worse jobs.' This has always stuck with me. In my research, I look at the working conditions of microworkers, which are people who do online tasks to make AI smarter, or clean up big data. For example, they look at dog pictures all day and have to click on only the labradors. As a result, the system eventually knows what a labrador is. This work is unprotected and underpaid. With my research, I want to make people aware that AI is not "Magic. Behind AI is human work, and these people should be properly valued and rewarded for it."
In her research on digital media interventions, Buijzen also sees the adverse effects of extensive digitization. "As one of the biggest dangers I see the 'Power of Tech.' That big tech companies will decide on public values. You see that happening now on social media, for example, where Meta and Youtube have their own guidelines for what violent or sexual content is acceptable on their platform. Or, conversely, take no responsibility for "Juice or gossip accounts" that no longer adhere to the code of journalism. But without, for example, hearing both sides of the argument, they send gossip into the world. That is undesirable." Yet in her research, she also sees opportunities to use AI in a positive way. "Algorithmic personalization on social media can also really empower certain groups to adjust their behavior. To have a healthier and greener lifestyle, for example, or exhibit prosocial behavior."
To limit the adverse effects of AI and make the most of the opportunities, both Buijzen and Ter Hoeven see a crucial role for the social sciences and humanities. Buijzen: "In the current debate, the term 'human centered AI' is often mentioned. How can you develop AI in line with human values? For that you need social scientists and humanities researchers. We notice that the more technical researchers also ask and want our help for this." For example, algorithms used in selecting resumes appear to be racist and sexist. These algorithms are based on data from previous human decisions "So it holds up a mirror to us and gives us a chance to improve ourselves. To determine the norms and values of these new techniques, the social sciences and humanities are very much needed. And that is precisely the strength of Erasmus University"
Over the next four years, the researchers hope to build a strong network, inside and outside the university. So that researchers and professionals working on topics related to AI can find each other. Through cocreation projects with all stakeholders, the initiative aims to contribute to the social debate and convergence between our university, Erasmus MC and TU Delft. Both Buijzen and Ter Hoeven think they have brought the right people on board for this. Buijzen: "At the beginning of the initiative we said, the people of tomorrow should lead us into the future, not the people of yesterday. That is why we recruited young researchers who are given all the freedom and space they need to further develop their interests and talents. For example, they are allowed to assemble their own supervisory team and are encouraged to collaborate with different researchers on their subprojects. This is truly unique in the academic world. This 'AiPack' draws our projects and they bring with them an awful lot of energy and enthusiasm!"
