TERI-IGNOU-UNESCO To Conduct Seminar to Address Ethics in AI

In a landmark initiative, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), and UNESCO are coming together to host a hybrid seminar on “Ethics in AI,” focusing on its implications for academia. Scheduled for January 22nd, this event will be the second in their ongoing joint webinar series. It aims to address the ethical challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) as it becomes increasingly integral to education and research.

Ethics in AI Seminar Details

Name of the Event	Ethics in AI : Framework for Academic and Research Institutions in India
Organized By	The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Date of Event	22nd January 2025
Timing	2PM – 4:30 PM (Indian Standard Time)
Mode	Hybrid (In-Person and virtual)
Fees	NA
Venue	Indira Gandhi National Open University, 93, Maidan Garhi Rd, Maidan Garhi, Sainik Farm, New Delhi, Delhi 110068
Concept Note	Download Here

Who Can Participate?

According to the Organizing Committee, if you belong to any of the below categories, you can participate in the event:

• Academician
• Researcher
• Publisher
• Industry Professional
• Policy Maker

Ethics In AI : Where To Register

If you belong to any of the above category and are interested in the space of ethics or Artificial Intelligence, you can register at the below:

Ethics In AI : Event Day Agenda / Schedule

Timings	Session	Panelist
14:00-14:10 (IST)	Welcome Address	Prof Uma Kanjilal Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU
14:10-14:15 (IST)	Special Address	Prof Suhas Shetgoverkar, Director, School of Social Science, IGNOU
14:15-14:20 (IST)	Setting the Seminar Theme	Dr. PK Bhattacharya Associate Director, TERI
14:20-14:30 (IST)	ICE Breaking session-Scholar voices on AI use in their work	Students/Faculty from IGNOU or some other Institutes
14:30-15:10 (IST)	PANEL 1 Responsible AI: Tackling Ethical Issues in Research	Moderator: Eunsong KIM Programme Specialist, Head of the Social and Human Sciences Unit ,UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia Panelist 1: Dr. Reeta Sharma Associate Fellow, TERI Panelist 2: Dr. Bhaskar Mukherjee Prof., Department of Library & Information Science, Banaras Hindu University, Panelist 3: Dr. G Mahesh Chief Scientist and Head of Science Communication and Dissemination (SCDD), CSIR Panelist 4: Dr. Urjit Marjit Head, Centre for Information Resource Management ,Kalyani University
15:10-15:25 (IST)	Keynote Address	Prof. Subhashis Banerjee Head of the Department & Professor of Computer Science, Ashoka University
	QnA Session
15:25-16:05 (IST)	PANEL 2 Frameworks and Resolutions for Ethical AI Research	Moderator: Prof Jaideep Sharma IGNOU Panelist 1 (UNESCO) Panelist 2 Prof TV Vijaykumar Dean , School of Engineering , Prof, School of Computer and System Science, JNU, New Delhi Panelist 3 Dr. Sunil MV Assistant Professor – Systems & General Management Chairperson – Alumni – PRERANA Panelist 4 Prof Subramanyam, School of Computer and Information Science, IGNOU
16:05-16:20 (IST)	Open Forum	IGNOU Facilitator
16:20-16:30 (IST)	Valedictory address	Prof Uma Kanjilal Vice-Chancellor IGNOU
16:30 (IST)	Summary & Vote of Thanks	IGNOU

The AI Revolution in Academia

The integration of AI is revolutionizing academia, enhancing education, research methodologies, and administrative processes. From enabling personalized learning experiences to supporting advanced research tools, AI offers transformative potential. However, these advancements come with significant ethical dilemmas, including algorithmic bias, data misuse, lack of transparency, and threats to academic integrity.

AI brings remarkable opportunities to academia, but it also raises critical concerns about fairness, accountability, and the preservation of ethical values. With these challenges in mind, the seminar aims to provide insights and strategies to responsibly harness AI’s potential.

The seminar is designed to raise awareness about the ethical challenges AI presents in academia, such as bias, privacy concerns, and maintaining transparency. It aims to provide participants with actionable solutions for responsible AI use and create a collaborative environment for interdisciplinary exchanges. Through discussions, case studies, and shared experiences, the seminar will develop a comprehensive understanding of the practical and theoretical aspects of ethical AI.

Participants can expect engaging sessions covering topics such as mitigating algorithmic bias, ensuring data privacy, and safeguarding academic integrity in an AI-driven environment. Panel discussions and interactive workshops will explore global and local frameworks for ethical AI in education. The seminar’s outcomes will include actionable guidelines to help institutions implement ethical practices, which will be compiled into a post-event document to guide academia.

A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation

The seminar will bring together a diverse audience, including academicians, researchers, policymakers, publishers, and industry professionals. By fostering collaboration across disciplines and sectors, the event aims to generate innovative and ethical solutions for AI in academia.

The hybrid format of the event ensures inclusivity, allowing participation from across India and beyond. This broad reach underscores the global relevance of the issues being addressed.

Shaping the Future of Ethical AI in Academia

As AI continues to redefine education and research, ensuring its ethical integration is essential. The TERI-IGNOU-UNESCO seminar represents a critical step toward addressing these challenges. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, sharing practical insights, and establishing guidelines for responsible AI use, the event promises to pave the way for a more equitable and ethical academic future.