AI in ASIA: Understanding its Social, Cultural and Political Impact I

Panel Convenor(s)

• MB

  Michiel Baas

  Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, Netherlands

Panel Chair(s)

• MB

  Michiel Baas

  Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, Netherlands

Presenter(s)

• GZ

  Guo Zongtian

  University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
• AK

  Amit Kumar

  Birla Institute of Technology and Science, India

Co-Presenter(s)

• VR

  Veena Ramachandran

  Birla Institute of Technology and Science, India

Since the launch of ChatGPT to the public at large the “reality” or “arrival” of artificial intelligence (AI) has pushed itself to the foreground in mainstream media. Numerous articles have been devoted to the opportunities the technology offers but also the threat(s) it poses. While its creative potential and ability to sieve through and analyse massive amounts of data has been well-noted, journalists and scholars have also flagged issues of copyright infringements, deep fakes, misinformation, job loss and even its possible application in warfare. Besides its integration in text and image generating tools, AI now also powers an increasing number of tools used in sectors such as agriculture, education, health and medicine which may not immediately reveal its reliance on AI. This panel proposes to bring together papers that examine AI’s presence and use in Asia. In doing so it seeks to cater to those interested in developments within the field of AI and related research. Its ambition is to provoke a discussion about an interplay of issues that cling to the AI’s ongoing deployment in myriad industries and sectors across Asia. Focusing primarily on India and China, two of Asia’s most populous countries and largest economies, the papers included present ethnographic research on the use of AI; analyse attempts to govern AI; look at questions of industry competitiveness in relation to this; but also touch upon environmental concerns as the technology’s functioning relies on massive amounts of planetary resources. The overall goal of the panel is to work towards an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research agenda that critically embraces the reality of AI in (Asian) societies. We therefore propose an open approach with the goal to inspire future research, create new research alliances, and discuss joint publication strategies.

Presentations:

• 16:15 – 18:00 (GMT+7)

  China's Strategic Integration of AI-Driven Surveillance in Taliban-Afghanistan
  

  Presenter: Amit Kumar – Birla Institute of Technology and Science

  Co-Presenter: Veena Ramachandran – Birla Institute of Technology and Science
• 16:15 – 18:00 (GMT+7)

  Transcending National Ethos in AI Healthcare: An Anthropological Examination of China and the UK
  

  Presenter: Guo Zongtian – University of Amsterdam