AI's impacts from climate change to law under scrutiny

Turkey's Science and Technology Research Council (TÜBA) is closely monitoring the multifaceted impacts of artificial intelligence, driven by rapid advancements in information technologies. To foster collaboration among public, private, and volunteer organizations, TÜBA has established a dedicated Working Group on Information Technologies, Communication, and Artificial Intelligence, which is now intensifying its research efforts.

This multidisciplinary group, comprised of scientists, plans to host a series of events, notably workshops, in the coming days. These sessions will focus on evaluating the diverse applications of artificial intelligence across various sectors, assessing its effects, and identifying necessary steps forward. The outcomes of these deliberations will be compiled into reports and presented to relevant decision-makers. TÜBA intends to leverage these studies to provide consultancy services to institutions and organizations operating in the AI domain.

Furthermore, the initiative aims to bolster the technical infrastructure for information technology research within Turkey and enhance the nation's human capital in this critical field. Concurrently, the working group is analyzing existing AI applications worldwide to draw comparisons and identify best practices. TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker highlighted that the council has various working groups, with AI being a key focus. He explained that these groups analyze global trends, identify Turkey's shortcomings, and explore how to leverage AI technologies more effectively.

Şeker noted that TÜBA invites prominent scientists from Turkey and abroad, including its own members, to contribute to these discussions. Through online meetings, the council strives to evaluate the subject matter, prepare reports, and compile them into publications. Currently, the group is concentrating on three main areas concerning AI: its potential use in managing pandemics and disasters alongside climate change, its application in the legal sector, and its role in education. Şeker emphasized the strategic importance of each of these areas.

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One of these is the work we are doing on how artificial intelligence can be used in pandemics and disasters that will emerge with climate change. Besides this, how artificial intelligence can be used in law and education is on our agenda. Each of these has strategic importance.