February 2025 - netsociety - server-nexa.polito.it

Global Call for Submissions: UNDP AI Trust & Safety Programme
by Guio Espanol, Armando March 3, 2025

March 3, 2025

Dear All, We are excited to share a timely opportunity to join the UNDP’s first-ever AI Trust and Safety Re-Imagination Programme from innovators working at the intersection of AI and T&S. Here is the information provided by UNDP colleagues: "The UNDP Trust and Safety Re-Imagination Programme seeks to: * Gather practical experiences and data on how AI products and systems manifest new risks that create harm in local contexts; * Lay the foundations for equitable and safe AI development ecosystems that support local startups and the safe application of AI in developing countries; and * Explore innovative partnerships that ensure safety-by-design in the early stage of AI development and deployment. Selected participants will present to global stakeholders in regional and global convening sessions over the next 6 months. Submissions are encouraged from innovators working at the intersection of AI and T&S, which may range from prototypes, unpublished or recently published research, to a fully-fledged product or solution that has been deployed. Below are the key dates for participants: * Information sessions will be held on February 13 and 17, March 6, April 3, and May 1 (Sign up here<https://www.sparkblue.org/content/information-sessions-public-event-program…>) * Round 1: Systemic Trust and Safety regional challenges and the impact of AI, Deadline: 20 February 2025. * Round 2: Emerging AI risks and escalations, Deadline: 20 March 2025. * Round 3: Theme to be determined by submissions and previous rounds, Deadline: 24 April 2025 * Round 4: Locally tailored solutions, Deadline: 22 May 2025. We invite individuals and teams to learn more about the programme and submit their projects here: https://www.undp.org/digital/ai-trust-and-safety Please also take a look at the UNDP Chief Digital Office Trello site if you're interested: https://trello.com/b/hqZZdFhV/undp-chief-digital-office-2024 We encourage you to submit as early as possible and look forward to seeing the amazing work that will come from this opportunity.” Best regards, Armando Guio Executive Director [cid:35770016-6dc9-4db4-a24c-bfa2fff3041f]

3 5

Call for Papers to the Luhmann Conference 2025 in Cambridge (9-12 September 2025)
by Dr. Steffen Roth Feb. 19, 2025

Feb. 19, 2025

Call for papers to the Luhmann Conference 2025 Topic: Programmes. Observed with social systems theory Venue: University of Cambridge, United Kingdom Submission deadline (abstracts): 15 May 2025 Conference dates: 09-12 September 2025 Pre-conference dinner: 08 September 2025 Supported by the European Sociological Association and the Inter-University Centre Dubrovnik Theme “… the differentiation of coding and programming makes the reappearance of the third value possible” (Luhmann, 1989, p. 41) In observing programmes through the lens of social systems theory (Luhmann, 2018), we discover a centre pillar of decided orders and structural feature of organised complexity. Programmes guide decisions, establishing the conditions under which they are deemed good or bad, right or wrong, or lucrative or ruinous. Programmes constitute interfaces between organisations and the codes of the function systems (Sales et al., 2022; Roth, 2023), but may also refer to, or be understood as, forms of moral code (Laursen, 2022), including coded preferences for particular function systems. As preference resonates with precedence, programmes are also instrumental in creating rankings and other stratified orders. Moreover, programmes define what is on screen or “on line”, shaping what occupies the centre, and not only the periphery, of social attention. Programmes also operate a diverse set of guiding distinctions to decide who or what is included or excluded the multifaceted segments of modern world society. In this way, programmes are compatible with the source codes of all four basic forms of social differentiation (Roth, 2025): segmentary, centre-periphery, stratified, and functional. At the same time, the concept of programmes as architectures of code is compatible not only with the guiding distinctions of society as observed by social systems theory in the tradition of Niklas Luhmann (Roth et al., 2025), but also with the key technologies and self-descriptions of a digitally transforming society. While the notion of programmes predates the digital computer revolution, architectures and metaphors of programmes and code have become as ubiquitous today as have the computers processing them to mediate almost every aspect of organic, psychic, and social life. This pervasiveness now seems to extend even to the heartlands of analogue communication, which some argue are currently being taken over by technologies (Tække, 2022) that others view as hardly more than glorified search engines such as ChatGPT or Gemini. The possibility that this very text on programmes has been generated by a computer programme adds an intriguing layer of complexity or, at least, complication. Whether attributed to a software programme or a group of wetware computers, the existence of such opaque text in the age of AI underscores the pervasive interplay between programmes as forms of social systems and the social systems they shape … Read the full Call for Papers here: https://wp.me/pvO07-256 Consider also subscribing to the Systems Theories JISCMAIL mailing list for updates at: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/systems ***** Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. Steffen Roth Full Professor of Management, Excelia Business School La Rochelle, France Full Professor of Social Sciences, Kazimieras Simonavicius University, Lithuania Adjunct Professor of Economic Sociology, University of Turku, Finland Visiting Academic, University of Cambridge, UK myURL: http://derroth.com <http://derroth.com/> ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8502-601X X: derrothdotcom <https://twitter.com/derrothdotcom> Recent articles GUIDING DISTINCTIONS OF SOCIAL THEORY. Results from two online brainstormings and one quantitative analysis of the ISA Books of the XX Century corpus @CS: https://wp.me/pvO07-24Z THE STATE AS CREATIVE DESTROYER: A systems perspective on entrepreneurship by organised monopolies on violence @IJEBR: https://wp.me/pvO07-24C RAINMAKING. Observed with social systems theory @SRBS: https://wp.me/pvO07-23o SPACESHIP EARTH. A total institution @EcolEc: https://wp.me/pvO07-1Zy TRUTH TABLES, TRUE DISTINCTIONS. Paradoxes of the source code of science @SPAA: https://wp.me/pvO07-1Pu HEALTH BEYOND MEDICINE. A planetary theory extension @SH&I: https://wp.me/pvO07-1ID

1 0

webinar “AI Sovereignty in the BRICS Countries”
by Luca Belli Feb. 19, 2025

Feb. 19, 2025

Dear colleagues, In case you are interested, the Center for Technology & Society at FGV and the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) are organizing a webinar on “AI Sovereignty in the BRICS Countries” that will take place tomorrow, Thursday 20 February, from 10:00 to 12:00 BRT (GMT-3). The webinar is part of the series of events on Digital Policies in the BRICS that CTS-FGV and MFA are organizing to discuss the most pressing digital issues for the BRICS grouping ahead of the BRICS Summit that will take place in Rio de Janeiro on 6-7 July, under the Brazilian rotating presidency https://brics.br/en Here some useful links * the webinar webpage https://direitorio.fgv.br/en/event/webinar-ai-sovereignty-brics-countries * "The webinar will be broadcast live on FGV's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/live/iWbFgQ3ZFzE"<https://youtube.com/live/iWbFgQ3ZFzE%22> * LinkedIn post with flyer and speakers https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fgv-direito-rio_fgv-fgvriolaw-fgvdireitorio-… The goal of the webinar is to provide an understanding of i) what is AI Sovereignty, ii) to what extent BRICS countries are AI sovereign and how their enhanced cooperation could increase their digital sovereignty, iii) and what can other countries learn from BRICS experiences. Here some background readings that can be useful * What is AI Sovereignty and Why Brazil Can Lead the Global Debate About It https://www.medianama.com/2024/06/223-views-ai-sovereignty-brazil-global-de… * The Quest for AI Sovereignty Transparency and Accountability https://cyberbrics.info/pre-print-the-quest-for-ai-sovereignty-transparency… * BRICS countries and AI sovereignty: Introduction to Thematic Section https://doi.org/10.23962/ajic.i34.20864 * Digital Sovereignty in the BRICS Countries: How the Global South and Emerging Power Alliances are Reshaping Digital Governance https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/digital-sovereignty-in-the-brics-count… Please feel free to share this message through your networks! All the best Luca [http://www.fgv.br/mailing/2018/direito_rio/assinatura/fgv_direito_rio.jpg] Luca Belli, PhD Professor | FGV Law Schoool Coordinator | Center for Technology & Society [http://www.fgv.br/mailing/2018/direito_rio/assinatura/fgv_tel.jpg]+55 21 3799 5763 t@1lucabelli<https://twitter.com/1lucabelli> [http://www.fgv.br/mailing/2018/direito_rio/assinatura/fgv_direito_rio_map.j… de Botafogo, 190 13º andar Botafogo - Rio de Janeiro, RJ - CEP: 22250-900 [http://www.fgv.br/mailing/2018/direito_rio/assinatura/fgv_ass_url.jpg]perso… www.lucabelli.net<https://lucabelli.net/> [http://www.fgv.br/mailing/2018/direito_rio/assinatura/fgv_ass_url.jpg]CTS-F… direitorio.fgv.br/cts<https://direitorio.fgv.br/cts> [http://www.fgv.br/mailing/2018/direito_rio/assinatura/fgv_ass_url.jpg]CPDP LatAm www.cpdp.lat<http://www.cpdp.lat/> [http://www.fgv.br/mailing/2018/direito_rio/assinatura/fgv_ass_url.jpg]cyber… www.cyberbrics.info<http://www.cyberbrics.info/> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This message, as well as any attached document, may contain personal data and information that is confidential and privileged and is intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying or distribution of this email or attached documents, or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Please contact the sender if you believe you have received this email by mistake.

1 0

CfP From Platform Governance to Generative AI:Concepts, Methods, and Data for Studying Tech Governance
by Christian Katzenbach Feb. 13, 2025

Feb. 13, 2025

Dear colleagues, We are hosting the 2025 AoIR Flashpoint Symposium this year at my lab PGMT in Bremen, Germany. Please take note of the short deadline for abstract submissions (February 15, that is this Saturday!) – and the great line-up of plenary speakers (Natali Helberger, Tarleton Gillespie, Sarah T. Roberts, Thomas Poell). **From Platform Governance to Generative AI:Concepts, Methods, and Data for Studying Tech Governance** 2025 AoIR Flashpoint Symposium, 3-4 June 2025, Bremen, Germany Lab Platform Governance, Media, and Technology (PGMT), University of Bremen **Submission Deadline for Abstracts: 15 February 2025** Confirmed Plenary Speakers: Natali Helberger, Sarah T. Roberts, Thomas Poell Call for Papers (short): The study of platform governance and generative AI has become increasingly critical as these technologies significantly (re)shape public discourse, societal norms, and policy-making processes. By determining how information is created, shared, and consumed, these technological systems raise complex questions of accountability, fairness, transparency, contestability, and ethics. After 20 years of social media these challenges remain topical, and both current political developments as well as the advent of generative AI will exacerbate rather than relieve those challenges. The AoIR Flashpoint Symposium 2025 in Bremen aims to contribute to these urgent discussions on governance and normative questions. Submissions for research papers or policy/position papers, or for pre-curated panels, will take the form of 400-600 word abstracts. *The submission deadline is 15 February 2025.* The complete Call for Papers, more information on the symposium and the link for submissions are available here: https://platform-governance.org/aoir-flashpoint-symposium-2025/ Inquiries can be sent to aoir2025(a)uni-bremen.de <mailto:aoir2025@uni-bremen.de>. The Symposium organisers are Prof. Dr. Christian Katzenbach, Dr. Daria Dergacheva, and Dr. Dennis Redeker. It would be great to see some NOC colleagues with us in Bremen! Best, Christian Katzenbach — Prof. Dr. Christian Katzenbach Professor of Media and Communication Centre for Media, Communication & Information Research (ZeMKI), University of Bremen www.uni-bremen.de/zemki Lab Platform Governance, Media and Technology (PGMT) platform-governance.org Associated Researcher Alexander von Humboldt Institut for Internet and Society (HIIG) www.hiig.de -- Alexander von Humboldt Institut für Internet und Gesellschaft gGmbH Französische Straße 9 · 10117 Berlin T +49 30 200 760 82 · F +49 30 206 089 60 · www.hiig.de <http://www.hiig.de/> · Bluesky <https://bsky.app/profile/hiigberlin.bsky.social> · Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/hiigberlin/> · LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/school/hiigberlin/> Gesellschaftssitz Berlin | Amtsgericht Berlin Charlottenburg | HRB 140911B | USt-ID DE 291 151 171 Forschungsdirektorium: Prof. Dr. Jeanette Hofmann (Geschäftsführung) · Prof. Dr. Björn Scheuermann · Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Schildhauer · Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schulz | Geschäftsführung: Dr. Karina Preiß

2 1

AI Action Summit Event:
by Stefaan G Verhulst Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

Join us for an official AI Action Summit event in Paris : "Aligning Urban AI and Global AI Governance" which will bring together global leaders, policymakers, technologists, and visionaries to explore the intersection between artificial intelligence in urban environments and the frameworks of global AI governance. 📅 Date: February 11, 2025, 3:00- 6:00pm CET 📍 Location: Paris, France (will be shared upon registration) 🔗 Program and Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aligning-urban-ai-and-global-ai-governance-tic… Co-organized by Urban AI and The GovLab, in collaboration with MEDEF, OpenDataFrance, DemocracyNext and UN-Habitat Urban Lab What to Expect: 🌍 Best practices for governing and deploying AI in cities (AI Localism) 🔑 Ethical considerations and trust-building in urban AI 📜 Regulatory strategies to align local solutions with global governance of AI

1 0

AI Action Summit: NoC Event in Paris (February 9)
by Guio Espanol, Armando Feb. 4, 2025

Feb. 4, 2025

Dear All, In collaboration with our colleagues at ITS Rio and Rice University, the NoC Secretariat is pleased to invite you to the event The Evolving Role of AI Safety Institutes in Uncertain Times: A New Wave Ahead? This hybrid event will be a side event to the AI Action Summit, in Paris. Find more information about the event here<https://docs.google.com/document/d/14kcTjW7T5b9jjN7clYFaFM1pXuQ_D7BSTMjy1jm…>. The final agenda will be shared with participants in the coming days. Please find the details for the event below: * Date: Sunday, February 9th * Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM CET. * In-person location: Rice University Global Paris Center: * 5 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris, France Attendance in Person: Registration is required to participate. To attend in person, please register using this form<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScncz5_PzrQ7iV3loy2EF3EE5JTQ_XWDEV…>. Please note that spots are limited, and access to the venue will not be permitted without prior registration. Instructions on how to access the venue will be sent to registered participants on the day of the event. Attendance in Person: Remote connection to the event will also be available. Please register here to join the event on Zoom.<https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/W9XE_e-fSWuUpRkoNq5CnQ> We’re looking forward to an insightful conversation ahead of the AI Action Summit! Best regards, Armando — On behalf of the event organizers [cid:ecb5252d-2310-4eeb-ad03-1ca4591ab42c]

1 0