UNESCO Chair in AI Ethics and Governance – Event Launch

IE University has established the UNESCO Chair in AI Ethics and Governance, reinforcing its commitment to ethical innovation and human-centered technological progress. Led by Professor Ted Lechterman, the Chair aims to promote responsible AI development through research, education, and global collaboration.

The launch event opened with remarks by IE University Provost Manuel Muñiz, who highlighted the Chair’s potential to shape key conversations on the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence. Presentations by Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO, and Dafna Feinholz, Chief of Bioethics and Ethics of Science at UNESCO, emphasized the urgent global need for inclusive, human-centric AI policies that uphold transparency, accountability, and fairness.

Professor Lechterman’s keynote, titled "Ethicophobia in AI Governance", challenged dominant narratives that downplay the role of ethics in technological development. He called for greater public oversight and institutional responsibility in shaping ethical standards for AI.

The event also featured a panel discussion, “The Ethical Frontiers of AI”, with leading experts Linda Eggert, David Leslie, Luz Rello, and Oliver Smith, who addressed crucial topics such as fairness, bias, inclusion, and the global impacts of AI technologies.

In her closing remarks, Dean Catalina Tejero reaffirmed the IE School of Humanities’ mission to tackle contemporary challenges through critical thinking, creativity, and interdisciplinary dialogue. The creation of this Chair marks an important step in strengthening IE’s role in global efforts to ensure that technological progress aligns with shared human values.

Additional Notes: More information here.