AI opportunities and challenges
The idea of holding a discussion on the topic of artificial intelligence belonged to the Scientific Leader of the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yuri Oganessian that opening the event, suggested talking not only about scientific, but also about the cultural aspects of introducing AI into everyday life.
Director of JINR Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Grigory Trubnikov emphasized that the initiative to hold the event does not accidentally belong to the United Institute. "JINR is an international research centre that celebrated its 70th anniversary this year and employs citizens from 37 countries. Over the years, many young researchers, having arrived at JINR as interns, have become outstanding scientists and organizers of science, authors of unique scientific attitudes, experiments and projects. 70 years of successful work of such an international community is in aggregate also a kind of intelligence, just not artificial, but natural. Such an international "broth" gives rise to new knowledge and contributes to culture," Grigory Trubnikov said.
The round table was moderated by Director of the Institute of System Programming of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Harutyun Avetisyan, one of the leading specialists in Russia and in the world on the problems of trusted artificial intelligence.
During the discussion, the subject of detailed discussion was the impact of artificial intelligence on scientific discoveries and new opportunities arising at the intersection of fundamental science, artificial intelligence, scientific computing and industry. Participants reviewed the relationship between human intelligence and artificial intelligence, discussed the role of computing and experimental infrastructure and the cooperation increasing between research institutions and industry in the development and application of AI technologies.
Focus was on the opportunities and challenges of AI‑powered innovation, including the potential for closer collaboration between science and industry and the role of AI in accelerating the transition from scientific knowledge to technological and industrial applications.
The speakers focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on society, science and education that has both positive and negative aspects. AI increasingly changes the methods of scientific research - from complex data analysis in major experiments and simulations to hypotheses, forecasting new phenomena and optimizing scientific experiments. So, machine learning plays an important role in the processing of JINR experiment data.
The gathered experts discussed the use of AI in trading and data analysis, in medicine and diagnostics, as well as its impact on the creation of modern works of art and blurring the boundaries of national culture and identity.
Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation, host of the Agora program on the TV channel “Kultura” Mikhail Shvydkoy highlighted that today, only people can really engage in creativity - neural networks are not capable of irrational thinking and the manifestation of their own emotions. "Artificial intelligence develops very differently than humans. When we say that it will replace us, it is unlikely that this will happen. Creativity is a psychophysiological act, not an intellectual one. Being irrational for an artist is, I think, the most important thing. And while artificial intelligence is not irrational, we have a chance," Mikhail Shvydkoy summed up.
Head of the Material Design Laboratory of the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Scientific Leader of SberUniversity, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences Artem Oganov, in continuation of the topic of creativity, formulated how the widespread use of neural networks affects scientific research. Artificial intelligence has facilitated the process of meeting scientific problems and these days, the focus in science is moving into a more creative field - the formulation of these tasks, the ability to ask the right question.
The introduction of AI not only opens up new opportunities, but also results in a change in the nature of work and also fundamentally affects the educational process. The issue arises of preserving critical thinking among AI users and as emphasized by Rector of the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology Acting Dean of the Faculty of Fundamental Physical and Chemical Engineering, Moscow State University, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yulia Gorbunova, for this goal, it is necessary to develop new methods of education and training. Rector of the Russian-Armenian University Edvard Sandoyan said that a Master's programme related to the ethics of artificial intelligence is currently developed at the Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology of the RAU. The training will focus on cognitive analysis of moral challenges concerning the development of neural networks.
At the end of the event, the moderator, Academician H. Avetisyan recalled the need for international cooperation in making trusted solutions in the field of artificial intelligence. "With this approach, both large and small countries will have access to technology and will be on an equal footing. At the same time, each country will independently determine which moral and ethical principles to apply in its internal practices - in medicine, in industry and so on. Additionally, own specialized norms can be introduced. However, we have to function in conditions where regulatory gray areas will be constantly subjected to tests and pressure," Harutyun Avetisyan summed up.
President of NAS RA, Academician of NAS RA Ashot Sagyan, Vice-President of NAS RA, Academician of NAS RA Aram Papoyan, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government of the Republic of Armenia in JINR, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Higher Education and Science of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia Artur Movsisyan, Scientific Leader of the Laboratory of Information Technologies of JINR Vladimir Korenkov and Vice-Rector for Digitalization of MAI Sergey Popov also took part in the discussion.
JINR Press Office