To achieve the goals of sustainable development in quality education, the Department of Animal Production at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / University of Baghdad organized a scientific symposium titled “Applications of Artificial Intelligence – Importance and Risks.” The symposium was delivered by Dr. Hamza AbdulSalam Al-Maamory and Dr. Yasseen AbdulSalam Al-Maamory, with the attendance of the Head of the Department of Animal Production, Prof. Dr. Hussam Jassim Bananah, and several faculty members and postgraduate students. The symposium was moderated by Prof. Dr. Nasr Nouri Al-Anbari and Assistant Prof. Dr. Hamid Razaq Abbas.
The symposium aimed to highlight the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and educate faculty and students about its significance as a supportive tool in scientific research, in addition to the dangers of its careless use which might breach research ethics. The symposium concluded with the following recommendations:
-
Establish an authority or ministry responsible for AI, and set guidelines for its use in accordance with societal ethics and state laws.
-
Encourage education on the applications of AI as an assistive rather than a fundamental tool in scientific research through organizing courses or workshops to delve deeper into AI details.
-
Recognize that the use of AI methodologies might spread misinformation, entrench discrimination, facilitate corporate and state espionage, and compromise sensitive infrastructures. It may even lead to the creation of disease-causing organisms, especially epidemics. Therefore, it is recommended to form regional and international committees and commitments to counter these risks.
-
Due to the unpredictable nature of AI’s potential uses, particularly the possibility of causing existential disasters, parallel scenarios should be developed to prevent such outcomes, especially through reprogramming AI algorithms and enhancing its speed and capabilities to address any arising issues, particularly in cybersecurity.
-
Adopt strategic thinking and direction. Educational institutions should focus on defining the initial purposes and areas of AI application, identify potential obstacles during the transition to AI, and harness its numerous advantages to benefit educational and scientific research processes.