International Conference on “Artificial Intelligence and Human Security in the Black Sea Region”

Hybrid

September 29^th, 2023

Background

For millions of people, life is more insecure than ever. Today’s security threats are no longer isolated events, confined to certain countries or regions. Tragedies taking place a continent away and across borders quickly appear on our doorstep. A peaceful and secure world cannot be about secure borders only. It must be about people, about ensuring human security. It is time to unite around a shared vision of human security for all. Without human security, there is no national or global security.

The Human Security Approach set forth by the United Nations and supported by UN General Assembly resolution covers seven dimensions – Food and Health Security; Economic and Political Security; Ecological, Community and Individual Security. Human Security is a preventive, participative approach to address threats to human lives, protect human freedoms and enhance human fulfilment.

Human security starts with people and what it means for us to be safe and secure. It means security from harmful disruptions and calamities – in our homes, our jobs, our communities, and our environment. It integrates three freedoms: freedom from fear, freedom from want and freedom from indignity.

• Freedom from fear refers to protecting individuals from threats directed at their security and physical integrity and includes various forms of violence that may arise from external States, the acts of a State against its citizens, the acts of one group against others and the acts of individuals against other individuals.
• Freedom from want refers to the protection of individuals so that they might satisfy their basic needs and the economic, social and environmental aspects of life and livelihoods.
• Freedom from indignity refers to the promotion of an improved quality of life and enhancement of human welfare that permits people to make choices and seek opportunities that empower them.

The global campaign Human Security for All (HS4A) launched by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) and the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), seeks to galvanize people around the vision of a safe, peaceful and healthy planet, a vision of human security for all. Amid escalating global insecurity, the Human Security approach stands out as a proactive, empowering, and preventive framework that prioritizes individuals and communities. A people-centred framework that is proactive, empowering and preventive is needed to address the complex challenges that societies face. The human security approach emerges as a vital solution to address these complex issues, emphasizing the need for concrete, context-specific, and practical actions that prioritize the well-being and safety of individuals and communities. This Conference is in support of the HS4A Campaign. It seeks to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the human security approach and its importance in addressing the complex challenges faced by societies in the face of the latest developments in AI today.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize the field of security, but it also poses significant risks. It can support an individual’s enjoyment of life and liberty. At the same time, misuse of AI can lead to major security issues, including human rights violations and malicious activities. Having regulations and ethical guidelines in place can help prevent the misuse of artificial intelligence and mitigate security issues.

Purpose

The event aims to offer a framework for free debates on the subject of AI, facilitating the exchange of ideas, best practices and knowledge in order to identify new directions to be followed for conceiving the policies addressing the implementation of Human Security principles in the Black Sea area. The Conference is intended to offer a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas between governmental agencies, Universities, NGOs and other various contributors from different disciplines.

Participants

The invitees will be governmental coordinators of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development in the BSEC member states, members of parliaments, government officials, academics, students, experts in the field, Observers and Sectoral Dialogue Partners of BSEC member states, BSEC related bodies and other international organizations, and journalists.

Conference Video