How does artificial intelligence transform culture, identity, and social values? Can technology truly serve humanity rather than dominate it? These and many other crucial questions brought together more than forty scholars and experts from Serbia and abroad at an international scientific conference dedicated to the social aspects of artificial intelligence and transhumanism.
At the opening ceremony of the conference, titled “Social Aspects of the Application of Artificial Intelligence and Transhumanism”, Dr. Goran Bašić, Director of the Institute of Social Sciences, and Dr. Vladimir Udovičić, Director of the The Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research and Development, together with representatives of state institutions and international organizations, emphasized the importance of connecting social and technical sciences in understanding the phenomenon of artificial intelligence. They particularly highlighted the responsibility of the scientific community in shaping ethical standards and public policies that accompany the development of new technologies.
The first day of the conference focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on culture, identity, and the media. Participants discussed how AI technologies are transforming the ways we preserve and interpret cultural heritage, raising questions of authenticity and identity. It was concluded that AI should serve culture, rather than replace or suppress it.
The second day addressed the philosophical, ethical, and social implications of AI and transhumanism. Discussions covered the transformation of human identity in the digital age and the need for ethical frameworks for the use of AI in public administration. In the closing sessions, participants emphasized the importance of democratic control and ethical oversight in the development and application of AI technologies.
The conference included numerous sessions and discussions that examined the ethical, social, cultural, and philosophical dimensions of AI development and application. It was repeatedly stressed that AI is no longer merely a technical matter but a fundamental social, cultural, and ethical issue. Participants agreed that it is essential to ensure that technology remains in the service of humanity and the public good.
The outcomes of the conference will serve as a foundation for future publications and projects aimed at building a society that understands technology without becoming subservient to it. The event demonstrated that it is possible to create a future in which technology does not define values, but rather, humanity remains its creator and measure.
The conference was jointly organized by the Institute of Social Sciences in Belgrade and the The Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research and Development in Novi Sad, with the support of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, and the company Positive d.o.o.
The Institute of Social Sciences announced that it will continue to foster interdisciplinary research and dialogue in order to contribute to the development of responsible models and solutions in the field of artificial intelligence.
