The Schedule

Upcoming Talks

Seminar #8: Value Aware Multiagent Systems

When: Thu, 16 May 2024, 13:00 BST/14:00 CEST

Speaker: Nardine Osman, Tenured Scientist, Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (IIIA) and Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Title: Value Aware Multiagent Systems

Abstract: Norms have extensively been used as means of governing multiagent behaviour. But with the rise of hybrid human-AI societies, the need to consider the alignment with human values has gained tremendous traction lately, giving rise to the value-alignment problem. The value-alignment problem is defined as the problem of designing systems that are provably aligned with human values. To achieve this, there is a need to develop software systems that reason about both human values and norms, implement these values through norms, and ensure the alignment of behaviour with those values and norms. The result would be value aware systems that take value-aligned decisions, interpret human and agent behaviour in terms of values, and even enrich human reasoning by enhancing the human’s value-awareness. 

Zoom Link: https://uva-live.zoom.us/j/88023401510

Previous Talks

Seminar #7: From Deliberations to Decisions via Hybrid Intelligence

When: Thu, 11 Apr 2024, 13:00 BST/14:00 CEST

Speaker: Pradeep Kumar Murukannaiah,  Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
Title: From Deliberations to Decisions via Hybrid Intelligence

Abstract: Making policy decisions involves multiple stakeholders and is a complex process. In this talk, I describe my vision of policy decision making as a hybrid intelligence (HI) process, where decision makers (humans) are supported by artificial intelligence techniques. A key technical component of this vision is multi-objective optimization (MOO). MOO is a well-developed field, but two important problems —pre-optimization and post-optimization —are largely unexplored. First, how do the objectives of MOO come about? I describe why values can be used to formulate objectives and how such values can be extracted via natural language processing (NLP) of policy deliberations. Second, how can a decision maker interpret the output of MOO (typically a large, multi-dimensional, set of solutions, e.g., a Pareto set)? I describe how a MOO solution set can be effectively clustered to reduce the information overload on the decision makers. These components (pre-optimization, optimization, and post-optimization), together, yield an end-to-end HI decision-making process that bridges policy deliberations and policy decisions. 

Zoom Recording: https://youtu.be/aqggrVpk2Q4

Seminar #6: Artificial Intelligence and the City: Urbanistic Perspectives on AI 

When: Thu, 14 Mar 2024, 13:00 GMT/14:00 CET

Speaker: Federico Cugurullo,  Trinity College Dublin
Title: Artificial Intelligence and the City: Urbanistic Perspectives on AI

Abstract: Innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming cities in unprecedented ways. In this presentation, we will explore the connections between AI and the urban by focusing on the concept of urban AI and reflecting on its most prominent incarnations: autonomous vehicles, urban robots, city brains, and urban software agents. We will then see how the emergence of urban AI is producing a new urbanism, an AI urbanism, that originates from smart urbanism but also departs from it along three main axes, namely function, presence, and agency. Empirically, we will draw on the findings from several international case studies to examine the repercussions of urban AI and give evidence of how the emergence of AI in cities is reshaping urban society, urban infrastructure, urban governance, urban planning, and urban sustainability. Theoretically, we will discuss the implications of the emergence of urban AI for urban theory and the future of cities. We will conclude the presentation with a warning about the impending risks posed by multiple urban AIs and the obscure black boxes driving their operations, but also with an invitation to politically engage as citizens with increasingly autonomous cities that might forever escape our understanding and thus our control.

Seminar #5: Prosociality and Fairness in Intelligent Agents

When: Thu, 15 Feb 2024, 13:00 GMT/14:00 CET

Speaker: Nirav Ajmeri, University of Bristol
Title: Prosociality and Fairness in Intelligent Agents

Abstract: In virtually every domain (e.g., smart cities, smart multi-modal transportation, policy-making), one user’s actions affect other users. AI systems that support or automate decision-making affect not only their primary users but also others. AI agents of today tend to prioritise the preferences of a single user, typically the individual who initially configured the agent. Even when designed to represent the preferences of multiple stakeholders, these AI agents tend to optimise for the interests of their primary user. This approach carries inherent risks, as it can inadvertently reinforce existing privileges and potentially exacerbate disadvantages faced by vulnerable individuals and marginalised communities. There is a need to consider the broader societal implications of AI decision-making and ensure that AI systems promote fairness and equitable outcomes. In this talk, I will discuss how we could create multi-user-multi-agent systems that respect the values and preferences of all users and promote prosociality and fairness.

Zoom Recording: https://youtu.be/H0DDsYFTPOo

Seminar #4: Facilitation Support for Online Consensus Decision-making

When: Thu, 14 Dec 2023, 13:00 GMT/14:00 CET

Speaker: Wen Gu, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST)
Title: Facilitation Support for Online Consensus Decision-making

Abstract: Text based online forum has been considered as an effective approach for holding large-scale online discussions and collecting opinions. It has been utilized in the situations such as academic conferences and citizen co-creation meetings. To promote the development of the discussion process, facilitation becomes critical, and the support of facilitation is essential. In this talk, Wen will give a brief introduction to the research topic of facilitation support in online consensus decision-making. Several  examples of existing research and ongoing work will be explained. In addition, he will address the challenges of facilitation support in online forum and talk about the future work in this research area. 

Seminar #3: Multisector games in cities

When: Thu, 09 Nov 2023, 13:00 BST/14:00 CEST

Speaker: Fernando P. Santos, University of Amsterdam
Title: Multisector games in cities

Abstract: Cities are complex adaptive systems and developing new urban projects hinges on the strategic interaction between multiple sectors (e.g., citizens belonging to different groups, public bodies, and companies). From urban planning to global governance, analysis of these complex interactions requires new mathematical and computational approaches. In this talk I will a present a framework, grounded on evolutionary game theory, to envisage situations in which each of these sectors is confronted with the dilemma of deciding between maintaining a status quo scenario or shifting towards a new paradigm. We’ll consider multisector conflicts regarding environmentally friendly policies as an example of application. I will finish with two domains that we have been exploring at the Civic AI Lab, where strategic interactions between citizens belonging to different groups also plays a fundamental role: designing fair transportation systems and reducing school segregation.

Zoom Recording: https://youtu.be/VUkuPrF3WNs

Seminar #2: Conversational Agents for Digital Inclusion

When: Thu, 12 Oct 2023, 13:00 BST/14:00 CEST

Speaker: Rafik Hadfi, Kyoto University
Title: Conversational Agents for Digital Inclusion

Abstract: The advent of AI fosters the development of innovative methods of communication and collaboration. Integrating AI into ICTs is now ushering in an era of social progress that has the potential to empower marginalized groups. This transformation paves the way for digital inclusion, potentially empowering the online presence of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. In this talk, I will introduce various facets of digital literacy, inclusion, equity, and their interconnected roles in fostering self-realization. I will then examine if AI can promote digital inclusion for women by boosting their presence on online platforms. I will share the findings of a study that examines the effect of incorporating conversational agents into gender-mixed online debates. The results show that conversational agents produce quantitative differences in how genders contribute to the debate by raising issues, presenting ideas, and articulating arguments. The results also show increased ideation and reduced inhibition for both genders, particularly females, when interacting exclusively with other females or agents. The enabling character of conversational agents reveals an apparatus that could empower women and increase their agency on online platforms.


Zoom Recording: https://youtu.be/932hWZrHhiM

Seminar #1: Introduction to Citizen-Centric AI Research 

When: Thu, 14 Sept 2023, 13:00 BST/14:00 CEST
Agenda:

Zoom Recording: https://youtu.be/N3k-ASSpmr8

Organization Meeting

When: Thu, 13 July 2023, 13:00 BST/14:00 CEST
Agenda: