AI Student Ponders Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence During United Nations Summer Program in Computer Science
Wisdom Obinna's Journey in International Diplomacy and AI Research
Wisdom Obinna, a Ph.D. student in computer science at Georgetown University, recently participated in the Graduate Study Programme (GSP) at the United Nations Office in Geneva. This two-week intensive seminar offered Obinna a unique opportunity to delve into international politics and diplomacy, while also providing a platform to approach global governance of emerging technologies thoughtfully.
Obinna was selected among over 1,250 applicants for this prestigious programme. 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. The seminar focused on international politics and diplomacy, and Obinna engaged directly with UN diplomats and peers from diverse national and academic backgrounds.
During the programme, Obinna's group worked on recommendations for the ethical use of emerging technologies, including AI, quantum computing, and brain-computer interfaces. This experience enriched Obinna's understanding of multilateralism, a concept where countries work together to achieve common goals.
Obinna's participation in the GSP was funded by the Fritz Family Fellowship. Prior to this, he had spent more time learning than teaching during his time studying intelligent systems like AI at Georgetown. His research at Georgetown focuses on how AI is affecting artists' creative agency.
Before embarking on his academic journey, Obinna had a long-standing interest in working with the United Nations. This interest was further ignited when he participated in the Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE), where he learned about ethical technology practices in the historical context of the Holocaust.
Obinna's experiences in the U.N. programme encouraged him to approach interdisciplinary collaboration in new ways and inspired him to continue advocating for socially smart tech. He expressed that as technologists, it's important to choose the things they want to be a part of and speak up if they feel something should be done differently.
The GSP at the United Nations Office in Geneva combines academic learning with practical exposure to prepare doctoral students like Obinna to engage effectively in international politics and diplomacy through direct interaction with UN personnel, collaborative problem-solving, and a rich multicultural environment. Obinna left the U.N. programme inspired not only to learn new languages but also to contribute to the greater good using his research.
[1] United Nations Office at Geneva. (n.d.). Graduate Study Programme. Retrieved from https://www.unog.ch/en/graduatestudyprogramme/
[3] United Nations Office at Geneva. (n.d.). Graduate Study Programme - Brochure. Retrieved from https://www.unog.ch/en/graduatestudyprogramme/brochure/
[5] United Nations Office at Geneva. (n.d.). Fritz Family Fellowship. Retrieved from https://www.unog.ch/en/graduatestudyprogramme/fritz-family-fellowship/
- Wisdom Obinna, with a research focus on AI and its impact on artists' creative agency, found the Graduate Study Programme (GSP) at the United Nations Office in Geneva an enriching experience, as it provided a platform to discuss the ethical use of emerging technologies, including AI, in a diverse, multicultural environment.
- The GSP not only offered Obinna an opportunity to delve into international politics and diplomacy, but also encouraged him to approach the global governance of technology thoughtfully, emphasizing the importance of choosing to be a part of things and speaking up when necessary, especially in the realm of artificial intelligence.
- Armed with a scholarship from the Fritz Family Fellowship, Obinna, a faculty member at Georgetown University, is set to continue his academic journey with a renewed passion for research and a commitment to advocating for socially smart tech, furthering his long-standing interest in working with the United Nations to ensure the ethical use of technology.
