“The future of work is unpredictable”
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the ethical issues of it is important for all societies. It is proceeding in enormous pace, has chances and challenges and an impact on businesses,” with these words, Detlef Lingemann, Ambassador of Germany in Finland opened the seminar “Ethics X AI” on October 2nd in Helsinki.
Balance between freedom and security
The Goethe–Institut Finnland, the German Congregation in Finland and the German–Finnish Chamber of Commerce (AHK Finland) organized an expert seminar to bring together the discourses in both countries, and between science, business and church. One of the keynote speakers was Finnish philosopher Maija-Riitta Ollila, who explained and asked: “After 9/11 security is most important – before that, it was freedom. The more control, the more security? What is the ideal balance between freedom and security, and do we experience regional discrepancies?”
Philosopher Maija-Riitta Ollila speaking at the event
Germany vs Finland
In Germany the protection of privacy and having private data under control is a high priority because of cultural and historical reasons. In Finland that is not a big issue. You can look up peoples addresses and annual incomes in Finland in an open manner. Fact is, digitalization is happening, and this was also confirmed by Johan Himberg, a famous data scientist from Finland: “Whether or not call it AI, digitalization stays, and can be either a common enemy or part of the vision.”
Both nations leading in the field of AI
Artificial Intelligence is a field many people are not really sure what to think of. Germany and Finland are among Europe’s leading countries in this field. There are researches done in Germany since the 80ies. The largest European AI research centre is also based in Germany. For Finland, AI is a national advantage and mission and in fact over 120 000 participants attended an online course giving insights into AI.
Politician Mario Brandenburg was also speaker at the seminar
AI as mirror of society
Mario Brandenburg, politician and member of German parliament, spoke about the definition of AI: “For me it is a tool like a hammer. A tool for engineers and computer sciences. It always needs human interaction, people are responsible, but people are hiding behind the technology. AI is a mirror of society. People sometimes don’t want to see that.” The Finnish chairman of the EU High Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence, Pekka Ala-Pietilä, has set ethics issues as a central development point in Europe.
The future of work with AI
But how will all this define our future work life? Philosopher Maija-Riitta Ollila confirms: “The future of work is unpredictable. Different technologies get fused and mingled. It will be all about meaningful work, the rest will be done by Artificial Intelligence. It will be all about emotional labour, more presence, intensely being at work especially by showing personality.”
The audience at "Ethics X AI" at Think Corner Helsinki
A discussion to build bridges
“We just wanted to surprise people with a topic that after thinking of it, is so clear to combine and discuss. That is what happened with this event 'Ethics x AI'. Breaking down the silence is our biggest intention. We are building a bridge, today is the first step to talk to as many different people as possible about it,” that is how Jan Feller, Manging Director of the German–Finnish Chamber of Commerce, summed up the event taking place in the Think Corner, in the city centre of Helsinki.