IEEE Launches Ethically Aligned Design, First Edition, Delivering ‘A Vision for Prioritizing Human Well-being with Autonomous and Intelligent Systems’

PISCATAWAY, NJ, 25 March 2019 – IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for humanity, and the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) today announced the launch of the first edition of Ethically Aligned Design (EAD1e), “A Vision for Prioritizing Human Well-being with Autonomous and Intelligent Systems.” EAD1e is available from The IEEE Global Initiative on Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems, which produced the document.

Autonomous and intelligent systems (A/IS) technologies are designed to reduce the necessity of human intervention in our day-to-day lives. In doing so, these new systems have also raised concerns globally about their impact on the well-being of individuals and societies. EAD1e sets forth scientific analysis and resources, high-level principles and actionable recommendations for ethical implementation of A/IS. It is intended to provide guidance for standards, regulation or legislation for the design, manufacture and use of A/IS, as well as serve as a key reference for the work of policymakers, technologists and educators.

“A/IS can be an enormous force for good in society. But, in order for that to happen, these systems must be designed and utilized in such ways that they respect human rights, holistically increase well-being and empower all people inclusively across nations and cultures,” said Raja Chatila, professor, Sorbonne Université – Paris, and chair, The IEEE Global Initiative. “EAD1e is urgently needed to help policymakers, engineers, designers, developers and corporations to ensure that A/IS align with explicitly formulated human values.”

EAD1e’s release culminates a three-year, globally open and iterative process involving thousands of global experts. During this period, two versions have been released as requests for input and attracted 500 pages of feedback. Those versions were internationally recognized by governments, inter-governmental bodies, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and industry. They also informed collaborations on A/IS governance with the United Nations, the European Commission and Parliament, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as with UNESCO and UNICEF, among others. Furthermore, The IEEE Global Initiative’s work toward EAD1e is directly inspiring several other interrelated works.

“EAD1e is not merely a comprehensive report distilling the consensus of its vast, global community of creators,” said John C. Havens, executive director of The IEEE Global Initiative. “EAD1e is a catalyst to inspire its global readership to take action; it is a unique and groundbreaking achievement taking ethical implementation of A/IS from principles to practice.”

IEEE is hosting a global webinar 9 a.m. Eastern today to discuss EAD1e. Also, IEEE will share EAD1e during the 8-12 April 2019 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. During the WSIS Forum, EAD1e will provide the context for a workshop hosted by The IEEE Global Initiative, “Autonomous and Intelligent Systems in the Digital World: Moving from Principles to Practice,” 16:30-18:15 11 April, at the International Telecommunications Union in Geneva.

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