03 October 2024
On the afternoon of 19th October, 2024, the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon will host the Bridge AI Conference, aimed at addressing the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulation in Portugal and Europe.
The conference will present preliminary findings of the Bridge AI project, an ambitious initiative coordinated by INESC-ID, in collaboration with the Champalimaud Foundation and Unbabel. Leading academics, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and interested citizens will gather to discuss the implications and implementation of the European Union’s AI Act. Held in Portuguese, with live English translation, the event is open to anyone interested in the intersection of AI regulation, innovation and literacy, and is free to attend.
The event will feature insights from top international experts, including Pedro Conceição, Director of the Human Development Report Office at the United Nations, alongside prominent national decision-makers. The discussions will cover the legal, technical, and ethical implications of regulating AI, focusing on how to maintain innovation while ensuring public safety and trust in these rapidly advancing technologies.
According to project leader Helena Moniz, specialist in Human Language Technologies at INESC-ID and professor at the Universidade de Lisboa, the goal is to ensure that AI regulation does not stifle innovation but instead fosters a legal and ethical framework that accelerates responsible AI development. “It’s important to strike a balance between legislation and innovation. The law should not be a barrier”, she stresses.
Bridge AI was born out of the collaborative efforts of young science managers and researchers, including Joana Lamego (Champalimaud Foundation), Nuno André and António Novais (Unbabel). With additional contributions from the Centre for Responsible AI, two law firms, Carnegie Mellon Portugal, and the British and American embassies, the project aims to position Portugal as a leader in responsible and ethical AI innovation.
Central to this mission is creating a collaborative ecosystem that unites academia, industry, and the public sector, allowing diverse voices to shape the future of AI policy. The project’s five working groups focus on different facets of AI regulation, producing evidence-based recommendations that will inform policy decisions. Bridge AI is also dedicated to enhancing AI literacy among the broader public, ensuring that Portuguese citizens are well-informed and engaged with forthcoming regulatory changes.
Date: 19 October, 2024
Time: 14:00 - 18:20
Location: Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon
Language: Portuguese, with live English translation
Registration (free): Here
Register and be part of this landmark event that will help define Portugal’s role in shaping responsible AI innovation.
