As artificial intelligence (AI) technology is advancing rapidly, real-world deployments of AI are being increasingly used to address some of the most challenging problems faced by society. Many aspects of modern life intersect with and depend on AI technology, but relatively few people understand the principles of how this technology works. Over the past few years, there has been growing interest among AI researchers in developing new strategies for improving AI literacy. On September 26th in 2023, the College of Engineering’s AI Research Center hosted a seminar titled, “The AI for Social Good Framework” as part of the AI Seminar Series which was presented by Dr. Saima Jabeen, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Alfaisal’s AI Center.
In this seminar, Dr. Saima highlighted a framework designed to transform fundamental research in AI into positive real-world impact, leading to new research directions, approaches, and AI-based tools benefiting all stakeholders in future deployments. In the seminar, the speaker and audience members collectively explored how AI can contribute to solving social problems. For example, what role can AI play in promoting public health, monitoring climate change, disaster management, access to opportunity, and sustainable development? How can AI initiatives be deployed in an ethical, inclusive, and accountable manner? The objective was to share the current state of research and practice, explore directions for future work, and create opportunities for collaboration.
The seminar was attended by students enrolled in AI and machine learning courses in the College of Engineering as well as students and faculty from Medicine, Law, and Business. The seminar’s scope of topics aims to foster diversity and inclusion in AI for social good, by stimulating interest and engagement in AI research across a broad range of backgrounds.
Our first seminar for the 2023-24 academic year laid the framework for our entire AI Seminar Series in the forthcoming year by considering the central question of how AI can be a force for good. As we explore how artificial intelligence can address some of the world’s most vexing issues, we will pair the positive outcomes with crucial awareness of potential unintended consequences.
Dr. Saima Jabeen has a PhD degree from the Department of Computer and Control Engineering, (Database and Data Mining Research Group) in Politecnico di Torino, Italy. She holds a master’s degree in Computer Science and she received the executive training of “Fachhochschule Teaching and Management” from FH| Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Graz and MCI: The Entrepreneurial School, Innsbruck, Austria. Her areas of research include data science, data mining, machine learning, NLP and Healthcare applications.
Alfaisal University’s AI Seminar Series explores ways artificial intelligence (AI) can benefit society, our environment, and the economy. In weekly talks, leaders from academia, industry, and NGOs, who are at the forefront of using AI for social good, showcase AI applications that are forging positive changes in healthcare, the environment, education, technology, government and more. Like the AI Center itself, the seminar series has a broad scope, covering both new methodological contributions, ground-breaking applications, and impact on society. More information about the AI Center’s activities and scientific programs can be viewed via ai.alfaisal.edu.
