Data science and artificial intelligence create new prospects for our society. One example is machine translation: its latest applications are based on modelling our brain functions. In the future, artificial intelligence that understands words and systems of meaning in the same way as humans will break down language barriers to increase mutual understanding. The digital world has brought with it not only opportunities, but also new challenges. As the amount of information increases, our ability to process and use data takes on greater significance. Most fears or unrealistic expectations regarding artificial intelligence and data are due to a lack of information.
Technological development gives rise to moral and legal questions that only we humans can answer. How does a robot make decisions? How can ethical perspectives be taken into account in the construction of data systems? And how do we ensure seamless interaction between people and technology? In the future, data systems will also increasingly interact with each other. It is important for us to understand this cooperation and enhance it.
Although accurate predictions of future technologies are impossible, research can help us understand the challenges ahead and increase our understanding of the basic principles, limitations and opportunities associated with methods of artificial intelligence. Research has also focused on such socially significant issues as the improvement of privacy protection and the development of technologies that prevent discrimination.
Data science research at the University of Helsinki produces new ways to process and use information. We use artificial intelligence to refine data into solutions that enable people to make responsible decisions. We educate architects of the digital world capable of guiding development and resolving ethical issues associated with artificial intelligence.
