Cisco Systems, a prominent tech company, has joined forces with Microsoft and IBM in committing to a Vatican-sponsored initiative aimed at ensuring the ethical development and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) for the betterment of society.
Chuck Robbins, CEO of Cisco Systems, officially endorsed the pledge, known as the Rome Call, and had a private audience with Pope Francis, according to the Vatican.
The Rome Call delineates fundamental principles for the ethical and responsible application of AI. It underscores the importance of designing, utilizing, and regulating AI systems to uphold the dignity of all individuals without discrimination, while also safeguarding their environments. Key principles such as transparency, inclusion, responsibility, impartiality, and security are emphasized as essential guidelines for all AI advancements.
Initially introduced and signed during a Vatican conference on February 28, 2020—just before Italy implemented COVID-19 lockdown measures—the Rome Call was endorsed by Brad Smith of Microsoft and John Kelly III of IBM. Since then, numerous entities including universities, U.N. agencies, private corporations, and non-governmental organizations have pledged their support.
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life leading the AI initiative, expressed appreciation for Cisco’s involvement. He highlighted the company’s expertise in infrastructure, security, and AI data and system protection.
While AI, exemplified by cutting-edge systems like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has garnered widespread attention for its ability to generate human-like text, images, and music, it has also sparked concerns about potential risks to employment, privacy, copyright protection, and even human life.
Source: apnews.com
