International Comparative Study on AI Ethics Governance Closed-door Symposium Successfully Held

On the morning of July 6, 2024, the closed-door Symposium on "International Comparative Study on AI Ethics Governance" was successfully held in Conference Room 206, North Building 4, Xuhui Campus, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The symposium was hosted by the Kouguan School of law and the China Institute for Socio-Legal Studies of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Experts and scholars from domestic and foreign universities and research institutions such as Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, Yale University, Safe AI Forum, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Tsinghua University, Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Tongji University, and East China University of Science and Technology, as well as experts from enterprises such as SenseTime, AliResearch, and Lenovo Group participated in the discussion. Many teachers and students from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, as well as off-campus scholars, attended the symposium.

The opening remarks of the symposium were chaired by Lin Xifen, Vice Dean and tenured professor of the Kouguan School of law of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Professor Lin Xifen first extended a warm welcome to all participants and briefly introduced the background of the China Institute for Socio-Legal Studies of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the theme of the symposium, and the basic situation of the guests.

Zhou Hui, Deputy Director of the Network and Information Law Research Office of Institute of Law of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, introduced the main theme of the discussion and the preparation of the symposium, expressing his hope that the symposium would provide further guidance for the improvement of the "Model Law on Al (Expert Draft Proposal)".

Ji Weidong, Dean and Senior Professor of the China Institute for Socio-Legal Studies of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, delivered the opening speech and keynote report. Professor Ji Weidong first extended a warm welcome to all participants on behalf of the China Institute for Socio-Legal Studies of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Professor Ji Weidong pointed out that over the past 200 years, technological development has brought three major changes to human society: first, the internal combustion engine + electrical technology has brought freedom to life for humanity; second, the Internet + digital communication technology has brought freedom to information; third, large models + brain-machine interface technology may bring innovative freedom. While large models show great opportunities, they also have risks and uncertainties, such as concerns about privacy protection due to the use of massive data by language models; the generalization process of large models may lead to the spread of false information; the content generated by large models may lead to complex issues in the identification and protection of intellectual property rights; and large models may obtain confidential information from enterprises and government agencies, potentially causing dysfunction in information society. In terms of AI governance, Professor Ji Weidong proposed AI governance based on values and AI governance based on procedures, and emphasized the need to strengthen international coordination and cooperation in AI. Finally, Professor Ji Weidong expressed his hope that the symposium would provide intellectual inspiration and practical assistance for reconstructing the ethical system in the era of large models and strengthening international cooperation in AI governance, and wished the conference meeting a fruitful outcome.

The first part of the symposium, themed "AI Ethics Governance from an International Perspective," was chaired by Zhang Lei, Secretary of the Academic Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Ms. Zhang Lei pointed out that Shanghai Jiao Tong University is one of the earliest comprehensive universities in China which place scientific ethics at the level of university governance to focus and establish system. The governance of scientific ethics is not only a topic of concern to experts in the field of scientific research and law, but also attracts the attention of the public and social micro-structures such as university strategic planning offices. At the same time, universities are important forces in promoting human peace and prosperity, bearing more responsibility of adhering to and defending a cross-cultural perspective and an international vision. Ms. Zhang Lei once again affirmed the significance of the forum and looked forward to the five thematic reports under this part.