AI Literacy and Governance: Key Insights from Ivana Bartoletti at the Internet Governance Forum

Companies and governments must take greater responsibility in ensuring the safety of individuals against the potential misuse of artificial intelligence tools. AI expert Ivana Bartoletti conveyed this message during her recent interview with UN News at the 2024 Internet Governance Forum held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Currently serving as the Global Chief Privacy and AI Governance Officer at Wipro, Bartoletti is a co-founder of the Women Leading in AI network and an advisor to the Council of Europe. She expressed serious concerns regarding the underrepresentation of women and voices from the global South in the AI sector.

‘In Europe, just 28 percent of those working in the AI industry are women, and this has enormous consequences. Each AI product is made up of elements that are chosen by people. Having insufficient diversity in these conversations is problematic,’ Bartoletti emphasized. This lack of representation not only affects coding and programming roles but also influences broader decision-making processes regarding the future of AI.

Throughout her discussions at the forum, Bartoletti underscored the necessity for diversity and global representation, especially from the global South, in the development and governance of AI.

‘There are many ways to engage with AI and technology, and you don’t have to be a coder. For instance, the politics surrounding data collection and the criteria used to include data are significant. The predictions made by AI based on this data are not neutral,’ she noted.

Working towards a fair and transparent deployment of AI systems, Bartoletti highlighted the collaboration needed between governments, private sectors, and civil society for enhanced accuracy and transparency in AI applications.

‘Education around AI literacy is essential, especially in schools. It develops a critical mindset among students. However, the responsibility for ensuring online safety cannot solely fall on individuals. Companies must also bear significant responsibility. The power disparities between individuals and large tech firms mean that education alone cannot address the asymmetry in data usage,’ Bartoletti asserted.

This interview serves as a call to action for a more responsible and inclusive approach in the ongoing discourse around AI development, ensuring that all voices are heard and represented effectively in future discussions regarding the technology.

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