Last updated 25th September2024
On August 23rd and 24th, the 2nd World Conference for Z-Inspection® took place in Hamburg, bringing together experts dedicated to the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence. The event focused on the Z-Inspection® process and its application across various AI assessment projects, fostering discussions on future collaborations. A notable highlight of the conference was the presentation of a recently completed project in partnership with the Dutch government. This marked the first public collaboration where Z-Inspection® showcased its full potential within the public sector.
Photo from the concluding panel debate on"The future of Z-inspection®"
From left: Roberto V. Zicari, Z-Inspection® Initiative Lead,Dr. Jean Enno Charton, Director of Bioethics & Digital Ethics, Merck, Germany, Dr. Pedro Kringen, Trustworthy AI Lab at the University College Østfold, Norway, Emilie Wiinblad Mathez, Z-Inspection® Initiative, Switzerland, Dr. Sebastian Hallensleben, Head of the strategic technology field "AI & Digital Trust" VDE, Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies, Germany, Chair CEN-CENELEC JTC 21 AI. Co-Chair OECD ONE. AI "AI Risk & Accountability, Dr. Magnus Westerlund, ARCADIA University of Applied Sciences, Finland, and moderator Holger Volland, CEO, brand eins Medien AG.
Photo: Frode Ramstad Johansen
The conference featured engaging discussions led by key contributors, including Roberto Zicari, who provided valuable leadership throughout the event, and Holger Volland, who moderated the sessions with great skill. The contributions from all speakers and participants enriched the discussions and made the event a success.
Special thanks are extended to our sponsors: brand eins Medien AG, ARIC, EDIH Hamburg, nextMedia, ARCADA University of Applied Sciences, Merck KGaA, Nortal, HiTec, and Ströer, for their support in making the conference possible.
Dr. Ramstad Johansen presented an overview of our lab’s capabilities, while I had the pleasure of discussing the potential of Z-Inspection® with various industry leaders, including Jan Bakke, the Project Manager for Climate and Industry at the County Municipality.
Following this, we conducted a session for PhD students at HiØ titled “A Model for Evaluation of AI Trustworthiness.” The engagement and expertise of the audience were particularly inspiring.
We extend our gratitude to Professor Stefano Nichele for the invitation and opportunity to participate in such a dynamic exchange of ideas.
From left: Dr. Pedro Kringen in discussion with a representative from Fredrikstad municipality.
Left: Dr. Frode Ramstad Johansen presents the eco system at HiØ and NMBU.
On May 30th 2024, the Trustworthy AI Lab at HiØ participated in ProsjektEXPO in Fredrikstad, a notable event designed to unite entrepreneurial projects, foster collaboration, and cultivate partnerships. Our team had the privilege of engaging in substantive discussions and showcasing the innovative work of the Trustworthy AI Lab and the AI assessment tool Z-Inspection®.
On May 6th, members of the Z-Inspection® team from the Trustworthy AI Lab at Østfold University College, were invited to a session organized by the Norwegian Health Directorate. The focus of the session was to discuss the challenges and opportunities in AI deployment within healthcare, specifically addressing the Health Directorate’s role in overseeing AI implementation.
Key topics of the discussion included the benefits and risks of AI, the importance of ethical frameworks, and the role of regulatory bodies in fostering trust in AI technologies. Examples highlighted both the positive impacts and potential challenges associated with AI in healthcare. The session also emphasized the need for robust oversight, patient rights, and the importance of external audits through processes like Z-Inspection®.
We extend our thanks to the Norwegian Health Directorate and all participants for facilitating a productive exchange of ideas on the responsible use of AI in healthcare.
From left: Director of Division Jan Arild Lyngstad and Director of Analysis Lars Rønningen from the Norwegian Health Directorate. From Trustworthy AI Lab at HiØ, dr. Pedro Kringen and ass. prof. dr. Frode Ramstad Johansen
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It was a privilege to join dr. Frode Ramstad Johansen on April 5th 2024 for a seminar organized by the Norwegian National Centre for E-health Research, where we unpacked the theme of "Ethically Responsible Artificial Intelligence: Assessing Suitability and Beneficiaries."
Our dialogue delved deep into the guiding ethical principles for AI deployment, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach that benefits society at large. Critical discussions took place around the role of AI in clinical decision-making, the crucial steps for securing informed consent, and the protection of patient rights amidst data collection practices. We highlighted the significance of embedding feedback mechanisms and including a broad spectrum of patient representatives to capture diverse perspectives and concerns.
An important focus of the webinar was the indispensable role of rigorous external audits by the use of assessment protocols like Z-Inspection®, and clinical trials, ensuring that AI, when coupled with medical professionals, enhances performance rather than just promises it. The event also stressed the center's commitment to transparent research and the free dissemination of knowledge.
I want to thank Anne Torill Nordsletta, Siv Anette Fjellkårstad, Maryam Tayfi, and Nora MacLaren for their coordination of the event. Their dedication provided a solid platform for an illuminating exchange of ideas and set a precedent for future discourse on the intersection of AI and ethical healthcare practices.
Furthermore, my gratitude goes out to everyone who attended the webinar. Your insightful questions deeply enriched our discussion, and I regret that the constraints of our timeframe did not allow us to explore each one. Your active participation is the cornerstone of these dialogues, and I look forward to the opportunity to delve into your queries more thoroughly at a later date. Thank you all for your engagement and for making this event a memorable one.
Link to Norwegian presentation on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/ddEw49wg
Ethically sound artificial intelligence | News | Ehealthresearch.no (EN)
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The 29th of January associate professor at Trustworthy AI lab in Østfold University College, Frode Ramstad Johansen, and Dr Pedro Kringen had a fascinating opportunity to present on Trustworthy AI and Z-Inspection® at Jeløy Radio in Moss, engaging with the BITS team, key players in Norway's banking and financial infrastructure.
Our discussion focused on ensuring that AI aligns ethically with the critical systems facilitating seamless financial transactions across Norway's robust payment infrastructure, and the opportunity a method like Z-Inspection® can give to increase trustworthy and ethical use of AI in the banking domain.
The BITS members, instrumental in maintaining an infrastructure that supports everything from ATM transactions to interbank transfers, brought valuable insights into the conversation. Their interest in how the evaluation of AI by the use of methods such as Z-Inspection®can enhance and secure the efficiency of Norway's world-class payment system while upholding ethical standards was particularly enlightening.
This session reinforced the importance of ethical AI in sectors critical to national infrastructure, like finance. We are looking forward to more such impactful exchanges!
Dr Pedro Kringen and Dr Frode Ramstad Johansen. Image: Private.
Where
Jeløy Radio in Moss
When
January29th 2024
BY INVITATION
When
December 13th 2023
Where
Online presentation
On the 13th of December, we had the privilege of presenting to Smart Innovation Norway, a leading non-profit research and innovation company in Norway. Our session focused on the Trustworthy Lab at Østfold College University and our unique method, Z-Inspection®, tailored for the ethical assessment of artificial intelligence (AI).
Considering Smart Innovation Norway's commitment to sustainable energy, applied AI, digital entrepreneurship, smart cities, and social and behavioral innovation, our presentation was particularly relevant. Z-Inspection® is designed to facilitate responsible, trustworthy AI use, aligning with Smart Innovation Norway's objectives in sustainable development and innovation. Our method's comprehensive approach, which spans ethical, technical, and legal aspects of AI, resonates with the company's focus on applied research and commercialization in these cutting-edge areas.
Our interaction with Smart Innovation Norway was not only an opportunity to showcase our method but also a potential platform for collaborative discussion on AI's ethical applications in sectors crucial for the green transition and sustainable job creation. The exchange of ideas and insights with a leading entity in EU research was invaluable for advancing our mutual interests in responsible AI innovation.
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On the 10th of November 2023, the inaugural exposition of the Thrustworthy Lab was conducted at Østfold University College in Fredrikstad, Kråkerøy. Subsequent to this presentation, a detailed discourse ensued, focusing on the potential applications of the Z-Inspection process. This discussion encompassed various domains, including industrial implementation, educational integration, and research-oriented utilization, all within the framework of ensuring ethical and trustworthy usage of artificial intelligence.
The network formed by the Trustworthy AI Labs enables a wide range of specialists to contribute to the development of AI projects across academia, government, municipalities, and industry, assessing whether these projects are ethically sound and trustworthy.
The assessment process is carried out using a method based on applied ethics, known as Z-Inspection®, which is grounded in the EU's definition of trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI).
"Z-Inspection® is a general inspection process that can be applied across various domains where AI systems are used, such as business operations, healthcare, and the public sector, among many others. Z-Inspection® was the first process to assess trustworthy AI in practice, and to our knowledge, it remains the most comprehensive method available."
This is according to Dr. Pedro Kringen, one of the initiators behind the Trustworthy AI Lab and a key developer of the Z-Inspection® method. Professor Roberto Zicari, the founder of the global project, also serves on the board of Trustworthy AI Lab Norway. Currently, there are 25 Trustworthy AI Labs established worldwide.
From left:
Participated in the opening meeting: From left to right, head of the Trustworthy AI Lab at the University College Frode Ramstad Johansen, HiØ researcher Anne Margrethe Glømmen, HiØ researcher Leonora Onarheim Bergsjø, Stian Melhus and Kenth Engø-Monsen, respectively cluster leader and research leader at Smart Innovation Norway, Pedro Kringen, Z-inspection advisor, Gunnar Andersson, head of the Innovation research group as well as a member of the Trustworthy AI Lab, and IPL student Sindri Kristjanson. (Both photos: HiØ/Ann-Kristin Johansen)
The international AI network that the university is now joining was initiated by researchers from various fields at the Big Data Lab at Goethe University in Frankfurt.
At Østfold University College, it was the innovation community that took the initiative to establish the AI lab. They now aim to involve researchers across all disciplines, as well as external partners, to create the best possible foundation for working actively and broadly towards the conscious use of artificial intelligence.
"The method is interdisciplinary, so a successful lab requires diverse expertise. So far, we have brought in expertise in innovation, organizational development, law, ethics, medicine, and healthcare, but we are seeking broader competencies," says Associate Professor Frode Ramstad Johansen from the Department of Engineering.
Ready for Lab Development and Pilot Project
According to Ramstad Johansen, the Trustworthy AI Labs are not traditional, physical labs, but rather interdisciplinary and international forums that encourage debate and reflection on the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Through the labs, events are offered, along with opportunities for teaching and research.
At the kickoff meeting, which recently took place on the university's Fredrikstad campus, he and Pedro Kringen shared information about the potential of the lab concept with Østfold University College staff and external guests. Now that the lab is established, the real work begins.
"We have two main tasks ahead. One is building up the lab with interested stakeholders and spreading knowledge about the method, while the other is preparing for an international pilot project on evaluating the use of generative AI in higher education," says Ramstad Johansen.
The pilot project at Østfold University College is set to launch in early 2024.
Associate Professor at Østfold University College, Frode Ramstad Johansen, leads the newly established lab, which aims to increase the focus on responsible use of artificial intelligence. He is supported by, among others, Dr. Pedro Kringen (right), one of the initiators behind the Global Trustworthy AI Lab. They are pictured together at the kickoff meeting.
Where
Østfold University College in Fredrikstad
When
November 10th 2023
Tailored for the Norwegian AI Market
According to Kringen, so far only academic institutions have been involved in the establishment of so-called "Trustworthy AI Labs."
“This is because we have kept it as a purely academic exercise, and all the work is done pro bono (voluntarily and free of charge), but several of the labs have applied for and received substantial support for the use and development of the method,” he says.
Kringen emphasizes that artificial intelligence is developing rapidly, and the ethical and societal implications are raising concerns. He notes that all the researchers involved are passionate about the issue and want to make a difference.
The purpose of establishing a dedicated lab in Norway is, among other things, to actively participate in developing methods for assessing artificial intelligence that also meet specific Norwegian needs.
“The research community at Østfold University College is diverse and has strong connections to industry and local municipalities, which offers unique opportunities,” says Kringen.
Ramstad Johansen hopes that the new AI lab can serve as a common platform for AI-related projects and initiatives at Østfold University College.
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Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Norwegian Digitalization Directorate (DigDir) and talk about Z-inspection and what could be achieved by implementing this holistic method. The method is used for assessing the use of AI in the public and private domains in order to warrant trustworthy and ethical use of this fast-growing technology.
This Professional Forum for Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector is an informal, independent, and member-driven network for the exchange of experiences among those who work with artificial intelligence or wish to get started with artificial intelligence. It was a very interesting meeting, with several presentations of new AIs in the making.
Where
For more information, please email us
When
September 10th 2023
What an amazing experience it was to participate in the First World Z-inspection® Conference! Our focus was on building trustworthy AI and assessing its dependability in sectors like medicine and industry. The conference underscored the significance of interdisciplinary events in safeguarding human rights and maintaining a human-centric approach to tech.
We delved into the Z-inspection® process, which is pivotal in evaluating the trustworthiness of AI. Key practices were shared on its implementation, and the need for interpretability and human oversight in clinical AI systems was stressed. Overall, it was a fruitful event that emphasized collaboration in the quest for reliable AI applications.
The First World Z-inspection® Conference truly had a star-studded lineup! We heard from industry leaders like Johannes Winter of L3S Research Center and Lisa Bechtold from Zurich Insurance. Katarzyna Kaczmarek-Majer, Willy Tadema, Marijke ter Steege, and Jean Enno Charton also shared their unique perspectives. Roberto V. Zicari, the driving force behind the Z-inspection® initiative, was a highlight. Panelists including George Ulrich, Elisabeth Hildt, and Giovanni Sartor enriched the discussions, making it an incredibly inspiring event.
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