Ethical dilemmas concerning the use of AI tools were the subject of a meeting of the Sejm’s Standing Sub-Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Algorithmic Transparency, which took place on 27th April at the University of Warsaw.

Artificial intelligence, and particularly its application in the world of science, is currently a very important topic. One of the questions we are trying to answer is: will AI replace humans, will it replace the university? The role of the subcommittee, which we have the honour of hosting at our university today, is of immense importance. The University of Warsaw has always been, is, and will remain open to debates of this kind – said Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, Rector of the University of Warsaw, as he opened the proceedings.

The Standing Sub-Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Algorithm Transparency was established in January 2024. It serves as a platform for discussion on the impact of algorithms and artificial intelligence on various aspects of life, and as a forum for exchanging views on the opportunities and risks associated with them.

On 27th April, a special meeting of the subcommittee, attended by Dr Dariusz Standerski, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Digital Affairs, and Mr Grzegorz Napieralski, MP and Chair of the subcommittee, took place at the Casimir Palace on the UW’s Main Campus.

 

We are meeting at a very important moment. The first bill in Poland to deal with artificial intelligence and legally regulate various aspects of AI has just been submitted to parliament. I am delighted that we are able to meet at the University of Warsaw at such a time. Without the insights, comments and work of researchers in many fields, we would not have been able to manage on our own – said Grzegorz Napieralski.

The meeting was also attended by Prof. Maciej Raś, the UW Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Quality of Teaching and Learning; representatives of the Ministry of Justice; Prof. Paweł Łuków, Dean of the UW’s Faculty of Philosophy; Dr Emilia Kaczmarek from the UW’s Faculty of Philosophy; Dr Radosław Nielek, Director of the Scientific and Academic Computer Network – National Research Institute (NASK); and Dr Żaneta Świderska-Nielek, Director of the Scientific and Academic Computer Network – National Research Institute (NASK), Karolina Pyzik from the United Nations Global Compact, and Julia Kwaśniewska from the Polish Council of Youth Organisations.

The meeting focused on the ethical challenges associated with the use of AI-based tools in the context of work on the AI systems bill. Prof. Paweł Łuków and Dr Emilia Kaczmarek introduced the discussion.

Without an appropriate culture of public life, there is little we could regulate effectively. In a democratic society, we have a certain consensus, enshrined, for example, in the Constitution, regarding our most important values. The legal framework is the environment that enables us to function properly. In the field of technology, ethical issues will primarily concern respect for democratic values – said Prof. Paweł Łuków.