AI creates excitement and worry at digital festival in Berlin

 
Re stands out as one of Europe’s largest festivals of its kind, captivating audiences since its inception in 2007 in the vibrant city of Berlin, Germany. This year, approximately 25,000 attendees are anticipated to convene, delving into multifaceted discussions on the digital transformation sweeping the globe.
Markus Beckendahl, co-founder of Re, underscores its significance, stating, “Re is Europe’s largest digital conference on the digital society.” With 1,800 speakers and over 800 diverse sessions lined up over the next three days, the event promises a dynamic platform for exploring the evolving digital landscape and envisioning the societal frameworks of the future.
Under the theme “Who cares?”—a clever wordplay with profound implications—the festival prompts reflection on crucial questions: Who will provide care for the elderly in the coming years? Who is invested in ensuring societal functionality?
At the forefront of discussions lies the overarching theme of artificial intelligence (AI). “The artificial intelligence revolution is underway,” remarks Beckendahl. While AI brings about numerous advancements enhancing our lives, it also engenders concerns regarding power concentration and the imperative to democratize AI access.
Representatives from diverse global organizations, including Digital Innovation in Pandemic Control (DIPC), converge at the festival, seeking to apply pandemic-acquired insights to global health challenges. Monica Amponsah, project coordinator in Ghana, underscores the ethical imperative of leveraging AI to enhance global healthcare outcomes.
With 2024 dubbed the “super election year,” fears loom over AI’s potential role in propagating disinformation and undermining democratic processes. Matthias Heider, a disinformation researcher at the Institute for Democracy and Society (IDZ) in Jena, Germany, emphasizes the dual nature of AI’s impact. While it poses risks to democratic integrity, it also offers tools to combat hate speech and disinformation, empowering moderators to swiftly address such threats.
The Re digital festival kicked off on May 27th and will continue its immersive exploration of digital society until May 29th.
Source: africanews.com
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