On September 28, a public meeting took place in Paris during the 33rd regular session of UNESCO’s International Bioethics Committee (IBC). This event focused on two important topics: the ethics of aging and artificial intelligence (AI).
The first topic discussed was “Aging and Longevity in a Changing World: Ethical Issues and Human Rights.” Many countries, including China, see demographic change as a national priority, and the aging population brings several challenges.
For example, Belgium highlighted the importance of sexual rights for older people, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals, while other countries emphasized the need to invest in health care, social protection, and intergenerational solidarity. France pointed out that access to healthcare can vary greatly depending on where people live and that climate change can lead to additional health issues. Concerns were raised about how digital technology might exclude older people from society, and there was a discussion about the rise of ageism.
The role of robotics in addressing these challenges was also considered, leading to the second topic: artificial intelligence. Experts shared their thoughts on the ethical implications of AI-generated content and what it means to have knowledge.
As AI technology advances rapidly, it’s crucial to understand what knowledge is and who is responsible for creating it. Emma Ruttkamp-Bloem, the president of COMEST, warned that AI can act without human judgment, which can lead to risks like the integrity of knowledge and a uniformity of language. Tereza Stockleva, a sociology lecturer, pointed out that having more data doesn’t necessarily mean we have more knowledge. AI can summarize information but can’t provide knowledge we don’t already have. This raises concerns about the future of scientific progress, as Robert French noted that losing knowledge means losing control.
The decisions we make about AI affect our society, and it’s essential to consider democratic norms and the rule of law. Tereza Stockleva also discussed how we can shape AI according to our desires, questioning whose interests the AI will serve.
The conversation continued with representatives from various countries. South Korea highlighted how AI impacts critical thinking among young researchers and students, raising questions about whether we will become dependent on our tools and where human responsibility lies.
Monsignor Campisi from the Vatican emphasized the need to focus on the common good and preserve human dignity. He referred to a recent encyclical from Pope Leo XIV, stating that humanity should not be replaced or surpassed by technology. Human discernment is essential, and AI should not replace human judgment.
These discussions are crucial for the future of humanity, as they shape how we will interact with technology and each other.
This article has been translated and simplified by artificial intelligence from a French article “Vieillissement, intelligence artificielle : l’Unesco se penche sur des enjeux contemporains”
It may therefore contain errors. The French version is the reference version..