Invited Talk 4 by Motahhare Eslami (Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science): (Ir)responsible AI: Revisiting AI Accountability Efforts

Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we live and interact, offering profound benefits while also presenting significant challenges. On the positive side, AI enhances efficiency and convenience in various aspects of life, from optimizing healthcare delivery to personalizing education and streamlining business operations. It enables innovation across industries, helps solve complex problems, and empowers individuals to make more informed decisions. However, the dual-sided nature of AI also brings about concerns. AI systems can reinforce and amplify existing human biases, such as in hiring processes where algorithms may inadvertently discriminate against certain groups. They can invade privacy through increased surveillance, automate tasks leading to job displacement across sectors, and silence marginalized voices by misclassifying or censoring content that doesn’t align with mainstream narratives.

Concerns about AI harms have led to the emergence of Responsible AI research, which is dedicated to developing innovative approaches to AI that ensure its benefits are distributed equitably and responsibly. This talk will explore the Responsible AI approaches grounded in human-centered AI, which empowers everyday users and impacted stakeholders—especially those whose voices are often unheard—to actively participate in the design, development, and evaluation of accountable AI systems. By placing human needs and values at the forefront, we aim to create AI that truly serves all members of society, fostering fairness, trust, and accountability.