Montréal is an AI powerhouse, home to companies such as Google, IBM and DeepMind and a whole crop of artificial intelligence startups worth watching. Part of the city’s claim to AI fame is due to Professor Yoshua Bengio, among the world’s leading experts in the field who is the Scientific Director of Mila as well as a prof at the Université de Montréal. His proficiency was recently recognized by the UN.
Advising in breakthroughs in science and technology
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the creation of a new Scientific Advisory Board for Independent Advice on Breakthroughs in Science and Technology this summer, whose mission is to advise UN leaders on how to harness benefits and mitigate potential risks.
Every great leap forward in science and technology brings with it the potential for ethical, legal and political concerns that require multilateral solutions, a topic Professor Bengio has made central to his career.
This international Advisory Board will provide independent insights on trends at the intersection of science, technology, ethics, governance and sustainable development, and support UN leaders in anticipating, adapting to, and leveraging the latest advancements in their work for people, planet and prosperity.
“The Secretary-General’s decision to establish a Scientific Advisory Board underscores the unwavering dedication of UN leaders to the principles of the scientific method,” says Professor Bengio. “I look forward to supporting the UN Secretary-General in raising the voice for science-based policy and decision-making.”
A stellar selection of international experts
Professor Bengio is in good company on the Scientific Advisory Board, whose lineup of experts is impressive, to say the least. It includes:
- Prof. Sandra Díaz, Senior Principal Investigator CONICET and Professor of Ecology Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
- Prof. Saleemul Huq, Director International Centre for Climate Change and Development, Independent University Bangladesh
- Prof. Fei-Fei Li, Sequoia Professor of Computer Science, Stanford University; Denning Family Co-Director, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI), Stanford University
- Prof. Alan Lightman, Professor of the Practice of the Humanities, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Prof. Thuli Madonsela, Professor of Law, Stellenbosch University
- Prof. Thomas C. Südhof, Nobel Laureate, Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine
Harnessing the power of human creativity
With the formation of the Scientific Advisory Board, the United Nations takes a stride towards bridging science and policy. Through collaborative efforts and inclusive representation, the Board will bolster the UN’s capacity to address the intricate challenges and opportunities at the forefront of science and technology, fostering a path towards a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
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