A.I. Uprising: Opportunities and Challenges for the Future of Work and Its Impact on the Environment

Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay
December 5, 2024

Can AI be harnessed to save the world?

The next wave of technology is here—and it is changing everything. A.I. Uprising, the ninth edition of Georgetown University in Qatar’s (GU-Q) Hiwaraat series, will explore how humans can direct Artificial Intelligence (AI) to sustainably reshape industries and the workforce, enhance well-being, and protect the planet’s future. 

Despite AI’s obvious potential benefits, there are clear and present costs. For every boost in productivity, workers are displaced and skills become obsolete. For every green job created, energy demands surge and environmental trade-offs intensify. How then do we navigate this wave of technology to meet the needs of humans and the planet?

Over two days, participants will hear the voices behind the breakthroughs and the minds challenging them. From academics to CEOs, policymakers to radical thinkers, GU-Q will host an extraordinary range of perspectives from around the world, with an emphasis on Africa and Asia.

Through keynote addresses, high-level panels, and concurrent sessions, participants will examine how to direct the smartest tech in the room to act with conscience and explore ways of harnessing AI’s potential without leaving humanity behind.

The clock is ticking, and the stakes could not be higher. Join the dialogue that illuminates what is next.

Agenda

KEYNOTE ADDRESSES

Dr. Moriba Jah – Professor of Aerospace Engineer and Engineering Mechanics, University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Merritt Moore – Adjunct Professor of Practice and Distinguished Artist in Residence, NYU Abu-Dhabi
Dr. James Suzman- Author and Anthropologist

SESSION 1: The Ethics of AI in Our Geopolitical Context

AI presents the global community with profound ethical challenges, from increased geopolitical and economic stratification to the near-term exacerbation of climate harms. Among other issues, panelists will address ethical regulation of AI to secure the moral goal of a genuinely just energy transformation and jobs revolution.

Moderator: Dr. James Olsen, Environmental Ethicist, Georgetown University in Qatar
Dr. Georgios Dimitropoulos, Assistant Professor of Law, Hamad bin Khalifa University 
Dr. Sahana Udupa, Professor of Media Anthropology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
Dr. James Suzman, author and anthropologist

SESSION 2: Innovation to Improve Humanity

Faced with a current global “polycrisis,” much of the hype around AI relates to its incredible potential to improve humanity’s condition, as well as facilitate and hasten other innovations as a means toward global flourishing.

Moderator: Doug Little, Chief Information Officer, Georgetown University
Dr. Mohammad Hammoud, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar
Rika Nakazawa, Vice President NTT Data

SESSION 3: AI to Advance Sustainable Development

AI is making a significant impact on state development here in the Gulf region and across the world. In addition to being a potential catalyst in the energy transition, AI offers governments an affordable tool for sustainable development and is particularly poised to make a dramatic impact on environmental and labor market assessment and prediction.

Moderator: Dr. Raha Hakimdavar, Senior Advisor to the Deans of GU-Q and Earth Commons, Georgetown University
Dr. Moriba Jah, Professor of Aerospace Engineer and Engineering Mechanics, University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Saurabh Mishra, Founder and CEO of Taiyō.AI
Dr. Soud Khalifa Al Thani, Director of Climate Change, Earthna – Director of Green Development and Environmental Sustainability, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
Dr. Alessio Terzi, Economist, European Commission

SESSION 4: AI and Labor Market Transformation

AI is already eliminating and creating new jobs. Its potential is also clear when it comes to jobs re-skilling, reducing drudgery in work, and helping policy makers to design economies to better benefit workers and citizens.

Moderator: Dr. Alexis Antoniades, Associate Professor of Economics, Georgetown University in Qatar
Dr. Emmanouil Chatzikonstantinou, Assistant Professor of International Economics, Georgetown University in Qatar
Dr. Pawel Gmyrek, Senior Researcher, International Labor Organization
Salim Al-Barami, Strategic Planning and Digital Transformation Advisor, Ministry of Labour, Qatar
Dr. Huda Al-Khazaimi, Research Assistant Professor of Computer Engineering New York University Abu Dhabi

The agenda is subject to change

Please direct questions to Dr. Santiago García-Couto and Dr. James Olsen.