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Ineco, a leading engineering and consultancy firm in mobility and digital transformation, and the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) have launched an Observatory and Think Tank specialising in the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) and its relationship with society in terms of diversity issues.

This tool aims to analyse, debate and provide guidance on the development and responsible use of AI to promote a humane and ethical approach to its implementation.

Furthermore, it will pay special attention to identifying patterns and inequalities related to mobility and diversity, raise awareness and sensitise on possible barriers, as well as incorporate reflections towards inclusive mobility.

The Observatory has been developed under the premise that AI should not only be an efficient tool but also a positive force that benefits all of humanity, reducing the risks that may arise from its use. The Observatory will act as a centre of study and analysis, bringing together experts in ethics, technology, economics, law, sociology and other relevant disciplines to explore the complex interactions between AI and society.

Algorithmic bias, privacy and data protection, corporate responsibility, ethics in autonomous decision-making, human-AI interaction, AI development and governance and regulation, and research ethics are the aspects on which the study of the project will be articulated.

The constitution of this Observatory and Think Tank was formalised this afternoon with the signing of a collaboration agreement. The meeting, which took place at the UPV Rectorate, was attended by Sergio Vázquez, President of Ineco; Prof. Dr. José E. Capilla, Rector of the UPV; and Nuria Lloret, Professor at the UPV and Director of the Observatory.

Capilla: 'We should not be afraid of AI; we must incorporate it by solving the biases of generative models’.

The Rector of the UPV, who chaired the event, pointed out that AI 'is something that has arrived and is going to make our lives easier. We should not be afraid of it; what we have to do is incorporate it. However, we know that generative models have biases and that these problems must be solved. In this sense, we welcome an Observatory such as the one we are presenting today, which will ensure the quality of the use of AI, avoiding problems of discrimination and favouring equality and diversity.

In the words of the president of Ineco, 'this agreement not only demonstrates the value that Ineco places on the knowledge provided by Spanish public universities, but also our commitment to the development of technology with a soul'.

Nuria Lloret, deputy director of the Institute for Design and Manufacturing Research (IDF), indicated that, although the advance and expansion of AI has revolutionised society in many aspects, from the automation of tasks to decision-making in crucial areas such as medicine, education, finance and cybersecurity, 'this technological progress also poses ethical and social challenges that must be addressed comprehensively. This is why this Observatory has been created, she stressed.

Lloret, who has been chosen to direct it, is an international reference in the field of diversity in academic and business environments and a recognised expert in mentoring young women towards STEAM studies. Not surprisingly, the UPV professor has been a visiting professor at New York University and the Technological University of Monterrey, has directed more than 50 research projects at the national and European level, and is the founder of the platform 'Atenea: Women in Art and Stem' and a member of the Gender Studies platform of the Spanish Universities.

Participating entities

The Observatory on Artificial Intelligence and Diversity counts with the Association of Business and Professional Women (EVAP), Woman in AI and the Diversity Foundation as collaborating entities specialised in diversity. Also participating in the project are the women's network mINerva and the diversity network IRIS, both created at Ineco.

These entities will test the AI tools in a first phase 'without knowledge'; subsequently, they will train to develop the second part of the testing. The data collected will be analysed for comparative use 'with and without knowledge of artificial intelligence'.