AI DAY: a dialogue for a human-centred technology

On Wednesday, 29 January, Facoltà di Teologia di Lugano (FTL), affiliated with the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), organised a day dedicated to the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) called "AI Day: innovation and philosophy. 2nd Rosmini Chair Colloquium on AI". Prof. Markus Krienke, a Full Professor at FTL, shared his viewpoint with TeleTicino.

The aim of the day, as Professor Markus Krienke explained, was to combine the world of technology with philosophy and the humanities. "We must consider what tomorrow's world will look like. It is crucial that it remains a human-centred world. While technology will shape our future, we are the ones who will manage it. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dialogue between technical disciplines and the humanities. That is why, today, we have gathered technology experts who also appreciate the humanities, alongside philosophers who reflect on the relationship between technology, society, and administration in the future".

Professor Krienke suggests that AI offers opportunities in the humanities, but it is essential to consider how to manage these technologies for conscious use. "Thanks to technology, we can achieve a better world; however, this is only possible through dialogue, as simple rules are not enough".

Speaking about his own relationship with AI, Professor Krienke explained that he uses it to acquire data, which in turn is used to develop opinions. "The data provided by AI must always be verified. For me, they serve as a starting point for research, but I rewrite and reinterpret the information in my texts. I believe the best approach to these technologies is to foster a relationship of collaboration rather than competition".

Finally, the USI professor explained how using AI in the university environment is still problematic: "Some institutions are more advanced in this area than others. Some have eliminated traditional written tests completed at home due to the possibility of students using resources like ChatGPT. To combat this, we occasionally ask impromptu questions during remote sessions to discourage using such tools. As this is a new landscape, we still need to explore effective ways to integrate these technologies into our educational practices".

The interview with Professor Markus Krienke on TeleTicino is available at the following link (from minute 19:00, Italian only), more information about AI DAY can be found in the interviews in the press review.