The University of Pittsburgh, through the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security (Pitt Cyber), and Trinity College Dublin, through ADAPT, the SFI research centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) research and education. The partnership will address critical issues such as bias, discrimination, and misinformation, as well as exploring the role of AI regulation, cyber hygiene, digital literacy, and the safeguarding of fundamental rights.
The five year MOU aims to advance research on areas such as human-centric AI, the safe and ethical development of AI-enabled products and services, and addressing risks associated with AI and other advanced technologies. The agreement will focus on regulatory initiatives on both sides of the Atlantic and will provide a platform for sharing best practices. Both institutions will develop shared capabilities by exchanging information, fostering cooperation, and facilitating exchanges of expert personnel, including faculty and students. The general public will also benefit from free lectures as part of the annual schedule of activities.
Speaking about the partnership, ADAPT Director, Professor John D. Kelleher, said: “The importance of transatlantic cooperation for building a level AI playing field cannot be understated. This MOU highlights our commitment to promoting a global culture of ethical AI development, privacy and data protection. I am excited about the potential for transatlantic dialogue and collaboration that can contribute to the development of common AI regulations that ensure transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights.”
Echoing the sentiment, Professor David J. Hickton, founding Director of the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying: “This MOU represents an important step forward in our joint efforts to address the most pressing issues surrounding AI and digital technology. By working together, Trinity and the University of Pittsburgh can create a culture of shared learning that promotes innovation, protects privacy, and contributes to the responsible and ethical development of AI.”
The collaboration and cooperation between Europe and the United States in the development and governance of AI are essential for ensuring safe, ethical, and innovative AI technologies. A unified approach to AI governance can facilitate the development of global standards, ensuring that AI technologies are safe, transparent, and beneficial to all.
The collaboration is effective immediately, with plans underway for public initiatives in the autumn. All events will be listed on the ADAPT Centre and Pitt Cyber’s websites: www.adaptcentre.ie; www.cyber.pitt.edu.
