At the United Nations Summer Program, a Computer Science Student Explores the Moral and Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence
PhD Student Wisdom Obinna Explores AI's Impact on Artists' Creative Agency at Georgetown and United Nations
Wisdom Obinna, a doctoral student in computer science at Georgetown University, has been delving into the effects of AI on artists' creative agency. This focus stems from his research at Georgetown, but it was further enriched by his participation in the Graduate Study Programme at the United Nations' office in Geneva this summer.
Selected among over 1,250 applicants, Obinna joined 51 graduate students from 41 countries for a two-week intensive seminar in international politics and diplomacy. The programme offered expert lectures and collaborative group work on current global issues, providing Obinna with firsthand insight into how the UN operates.
During the programme, Obinna's group focused on ethical recommendations regarding emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and brain-computer interfaces. This experience was invaluable as it allowed him to contribute to shaping the future use of technology internationally.
Obinna's research at Georgetown had already given him an informed perspective on how to responsibly govern these advancements. However, the programme broadened his research framework and fostered collaborative connections for future projects.
Prior to his research at Georgetown, Obinna explored ethical technology practices through a fellowship at FASPE. This fellowship, focused on the historical context of the Holocaust in Germany and Poland, emphasised the importance of choosing the things technologists want to be a part of and speaking up if something should be done differently.
The Fritz Family Fellowship provided funding for Obinna to attend the U.N. Graduate Study Programme in Geneva. Miladin Bogetic, program coordinator for the U.N. Graduate Study Programme, described the summer session as a crash course on the U.N. and multilateralism.
Exchanging ideas with students from different national, cultural, and educational backgrounds encouraged Obinna to approach interdisciplinary collaboration in new ways. He left the programme inspired to learn new languages and continue advocating for socially smart tech.
Obinna's experiences this summer have added a new dimension to his research by urging him to consider the worldwide effects of rapid technological advancement across sectors. As he continues his research at Georgetown, he will undoubtedly bring this global perspective to his work, ensuring that his findings are informed by a diverse range of voices and perspectives.
Faculty at Georgetown University have encouraged Obinna's research on AI's impact on artists' creative agency, with the environment of academic collaboration fostering further exploration into this topic. This global perspective on emerging technologies, honed during Obinna's U.N. Graduate Study Programme participation, has expanded his career goals beyond solely academic research, aiming to shape international guidelines for ethical AI, quantum computing, and brain-computer interface applications. Additionally, Obinna's experiences have reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and language learning, as he strives to promote socially smart artificial intelligence technology.
