Facebook supports research at TUM

New Research Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) opens up new functional and application horizons for technical systems through digital networking. In order to ensure the cultural and social anchoring of these partly rapidly advancing developments, TUM has launched an extensive expansion program for the fields of humanities and social sciences. Within this strategic direction, research and teaching will be structured in the context of "Human-Centered Engineering", which will also involve disciplines such as philosophy, ethics, sociology and political science.

Technologies with a focus on cultural values

TUM´s commitment to the culture of value-based technologies led to the establishment of the Munich Center for Technology in Society (MCTS) as part of Germany´s Excellence Initiative 2012. The financial gift from Facebook to support the new Institute contributes to accelerating the implementation of the strategy. "Innovation cycles relevant to society are not possible without an ethical, legal and political overview," says Vice-President Prof. Thomas Hofmann. Due to the long-term importance of the topic, TUM founded the new research institute under the direction of Prof. Lütge within the MCTS.

Prof. Christoph Lütge, holder of the Peter Löscher Endowed Chair of Business Ethics at TUM, defines the overall goals: "We want to supply guidelines for the identification and answer of ethical questions of Artificial Intelligence for society, industry and legislators". Lütge was recently appointed to the Ethics Commission of the Federal Government on Autonomous Driving and to the European Expert Commission "AI4 People".

Facebook supports new institute without further specifications

The new TUM Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence is supported by Facebook without further specifications. “At Facebook, ensuring the responsible and thoughtful use of AI is foundational to everything we do. However, AI poses complex problems that affect people and society and which industry alone cannot answer,” said Joaquin Quiñonero Candela, Director, Facebook AI. “We are excited to support the creation of the independent TUM Institute for Ethics in AI, and look forward to the Institute’s efforts to advance the growing field of ethical research on new technology and explore fundamental issues affecting the use and impact of AI.”