Artificial Intelligence. Access to Information. Misinformation. Disinformation.
While I was giving a presentation on the use of English online, just yesterday evening, these complex topics were at the back of our minds; it’s probably fair to say that all of them have emerged during the “Age of Information” – the Internet and the rise of social media – although one could also suggest that Access to Information has been an issue for the longest, even if not overtly so. (I was talking to the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains in Kingston yesterday, on Zoom. I have been “zooming” so much lately I feel pretty much “zoomed out”! Online chats and meetings have become another feature of our online world that most of us with any kind of electronic device have adjusted to quite comfortably).
But, I digress. On Access to Information (ATI), there is a lot to say, and it has been in the news over the past few days. Jamaica’s ATI legislation is twenty years old. Its implementation appears to be (increasingly in the past few years) limping along. The ATI Tribunal, created to hear appeals from citizens whose requests for information have been denied, has been malfunctioning – it appears, actually non-existent – for the past six months or more. I am also very much aware that many requests to Jamaican Government agencies are either denied altogether or only partially filled – or the results may include that dreaded word, “redacted.” This is a sad state of affairs.
But it seems it’s not a very interesting topic for Information Minister Senator Dana Morris Dixon, who perhaps prefers spreading “good news” PR videos about the current political administration’s achievements. Notwithstanding, the International Day for Universal Access to Information will be celebrated on September 28. The focus will be on Artificial Intelligence – which certainly relates to sharing information. How is it being used by governments such as our own, as well as by individuals and organisations?
Jamaica is not likely to ratify the Escazú Agreement (the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean) any time soon. Jamaica signed it under the auspices of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC); it was subsequently noted that Jamaica would ratify the agreement “in due course.” That “due course” has been five years, so far.
One knows when there are bigger fish to fry, and the bulwarks of democracy such as access to information, transparency, openness and citizen participation in decision-making are apparently very small fish.
Despite all of these concerns, when I received the information below from the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, I realised that this will be a significant event. Jamaica is one of just eight countries worldwide participating on September 19, 2024. You may join the meeting online, for free – here is the registration link for the Jamaica panel (where I notice quite a gender imbalance – ah, well…) I encourage you to join the discussion! It’s just two weeks away (and it’s free).
Jamaica Contributes to Global Dialogue on Generative AI and Its Impact on Disinformation and Misinformation at the 5th AI4IA Conference
Kingston, Jamaica – Wednesday, September 4, 2024: The 5th Artificial Intelligence for Information Accessibility (AI4IA) Conference, organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Information for All Programme (IFAP) Working Group on Information Accessibility (WGIA), is set to return on September 28 for the annual celebration of International Day for Universal Access to Information. The conference will convene global thought leaders, policymakers, academics, technology experts, and the general public to discuss the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its societal impact.
The fifth staging of the conference will offer an expanded programme with eight (8) satellite events in Botswana, New York, Jamaica, China, India, Colombia, Canada, and Europe, leading up to the main on-demand conference on the Gather Town platform on Saturday, September 28. With over 68 speakers worldwide, attendees can expect engaging discussions and valuable insights on how AI can foster a more inclusive and equitable future.
The Jamaica-based virtual panel is organized in collaboration with the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, UNESCO Caribbean, and the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO. Scheduled for Thursday, September 19, this panel will explore the theme “Generative AI: Impact on Misinformation and Disinformation.” The event will feature keynote remarks by Professor Christopher Charles from the University of the West Indies and include the official launch of the “Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Policy Roadmap,” a comprehensive strategy for the region.
Cordel Green, Chair of the UNESCO IFAP Working Group on Information Accessibility (WGIA), Vice-Chair of UNESCO IFAP, Conceptualizer and Convenor of the AI4IA Conference, and Executive Director of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica (BCJ), emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “The AI4IA Conference continues to expand its global reach, addressing the most pressing issues in AI today, particularly around inclusivity, impact and ethical governance. With Jamaica leading critical discussions, we are uniquely positioned to highlight the challenges and opportunities AI presents for Small Island Developing States. Our goal is to platform diverse voices and ensure that AI innovation benefits everyone, not just a select few.”
Green further emphasized Jamaica’s active participation, stating, “Jamaica’s involvement in the AI4IA Conference underscores our commitment to advancing the responsible use of AI. We are proud to contribute to a global dialogue that addresses the challenges of AI and explores how it can be a force for good, particularly for Small Island Developing States like ours.”
Other speakers at the Jamaica panel will include Theo Chambers, lecturer, philosopher, reverend, and author of ‘Digital Pandora Box: Unleashing AI’s Total Knowledge’; Craig Perue, Research Fellow and Senior Consultant at the Mona School of Business and Management, University of the West Indies and lead author of the BCJ-commissioned ‘Digital Media and Information Literacy (DMIL)’ policy framework; Stuart Hylton, Director of Assurance and Compliance Services at Symptai Consulting Limited; Paul Hector, Advisor for Communication and Information, UNESCO Office for the Caribbean; and Paula Istruiz Cavero, Head of the Social and Human Sciences Programme, UNESCO Office for the Caribbean. Christina Williams, Policy and Legal Advisor will moderate this panel.
Following Green’s remarks, Samridhi Arora, Supreme Court Advocate in India, Rapporteur for the UNESCO Working Group on Information Accessibility, and AI4IA Conference Committee Chair, further underscored the importance of global cooperation in shaping AI’s future. She noted, “Artificial Intelligence offers incredible opportunities for progress, but it also poses significant challenges that must be addressed collaboratively and inclusively. The AI4IA Conference is a unique platform where diverse stakeholders can come together to discuss, debate, and shape the future of AI in a manner that is ethical, inclusive, and beneficial to all.”
By advancing the understanding of AI and its potential to foster inclusivity worldwide, the AI4IA Conference aims to promote UNESCO IFAP’s strategic priorities of information accessibility, information literacy, information ethics, information for development, information preservation, and multilingualism in cyberspace.
The AI4IA Conference is free to attend. To register and find more information about the event, visit the official website at https://ai4iaconference.com/. To register for the Jamaica panel visit https://bit.ly/bcjfreewebinar.
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