The Data and Web Science Laboratory of AUTH (Datalab), in cooperation with the Citizen Science Hub of the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki (AUTh CSH), co-organizes an event for exploring public attitudes and trust in Artificial Intelligence (AI), focusing on Generative AI. The event is part of the case studies of the Horizon Europe project, entitled “INspiring and ANchoring TrUst in Science” (IANUS).
The event will take place in person on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, from 17:30 to 20:30. It is primarily addressed to computer scientists, engineers, and data journalists but is open to the general public upon registration. The event aims to examine the public’s attitudes toward AI and to explore whether and why people trust and value the analyses, outputs, and functions of Generative AI.
In this era of rapid technological advancements, AI is systematically used for various purposes, shaping how we live and interact. The emergence of Generative AI has further opened new possibilities by enabling technology to not only analyze data but also generate creative content, sparking innovation in fields such as art, design, and problem-solving. Attitudes toward AI are often controversial, with some embracing its potential for innovation and efficiency while others express concerns about its impact. The public’s opinions are thus invaluable in exploring such phenomena and, most importantly, in exploring which factors shape these attitudes.
The IANUS project aims to strengthen warranted trust in science, research, and innovation at a systemic level by encouraging participation in research as a co-creative and inclusive process sensitive to societal values, concerns, and needs. IANUS will map the landscape of projects and discourses relevant to trust in science, develop its conceptual framework, conduct participatory research into conditions of trust in science, and initiate concrete actions for strengthening trust through co-creation, accompanied by policy recommendations. Thus, this event aims to promote the collaborative development and production of research between the researchers of Datalab and the Citizen Science Hub of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the invited laymen, technology experts, and journalists regarding trust and attitudes toward Generative AI.
People attending the event will be informed about the project, its topic, and the relevant case study. Then, they will participate in a series of short online tasks that display Generative AI outputs and answer a few online surveys. These surveys will include questions about the tasks performed, demographics, and overall attitudes toward AI.
Prof. Athena Vakali, Professor of the Informatics Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Director of the Data and Web Science Lab (DataLab), and founding member of the Citizen Science Hub of the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, will open the event.