Iliana Iotova: AI should be assessed by benefits it brings to society
Baku, October 1, AZERTAC
Artificial intelligence (AI) should be approached neither with fear nor with boundless admiration, but with the understanding that the usefulness of any technology is determined by the benefits it brings to society, President Iliana Iotova said in a message to students at the national forum “Building with Artificial Intelligence: From the Campus to the Smart City.” The forum is taking place Thursday at the Maxima Aula of the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), which is organizing the event and of which BTA is a media partner.
The event brings together representatives of central government, local authorities, European institutions, business and academia to discuss applications of AI in urban planning, construction and infrastructure, as well as challenges related to its regulation and responsible use.
Iotova stressed that society is built by people, while technologies are tools they use. Today’s students, she said, will live simultaneously in the physical and digital worlds. Their challenge will not be to choose between the two, but to connect them in a way that ensures technological progress leads to a better environment and a better quality of life.
In the age of AI, the importance of people is increasing because the ability to distinguish between good and bad and to assess the quality of answers is becoming increasingly important, the President said. She described the education of critical-thinking professionals capable of using new technologies wisely as a key task for universities.
According to Iotova, the forum’s topic raises the question of how the environment is created and managed when machines not only carry out instructions but also participate in finding solutions.
The smart city should not become an end in itself, she said. It should not be measured by the number of sensors, cameras and algorithms, but by the extent to which technologies solve problems in the urban environment and improve quality of life, Iotova said.
The President said the forum provides an opportunity to discuss one of the major international issues with the participation of experts and decision-makers. She described bringing together representatives of different institutions as an opportunity to seek consensus and avoid divisions in society.
According to Iotova, another important question is whether society can cope with such a sweeping transformation. In this context, she noted that China and the United States, despite their rivalry, are opening a channel for cooperation.
The President urged participants to identify Bulgaria’s place in global processes and highlight the country’s advantages that could place it among future leaders both in technological development and in applying technologies for the benefit of people.
The forum aims to promote dialogue among institutions, the university and business on an issue of growing importance for society, the economy and the country’s development, the organizers said. The event marks the beginning of a series of initiatives with which UACEG will celebrate its 85th anniversary.
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