The Northwestern Security and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (NSAIL), under the leadership of Professor V.S. Subrahmanian, and the Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics and UCC Futures on AI and Data Analytics at University College Cork, under the leadership of Professor Barry O’Sullivan, have entered into a partnership to support collaboration in the area of Geopolitics, Artificial Intelligence, National Security.
NSAIL is a joint venture by the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs and the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University. The partnership will spur interdisciplinary, international research by supporting PhD students at University College Cork, as well research assistantships through the Buffett Undergraduate Research Fellowship program and Global Collaboration Grants at Northwestern University to help fund faculty exchanges and travel, as well as research symposia, conferences, and other events.
AI is a key driver of geopolitical competition, with countries vying for technological supremacy and economic dominance. The potential of AI technologies to revolutionize industries, enhance military and intelligence capabilities and shape societal norms has far-reaching implications for the disruption of traditional geopolitical balances. As AI development accelerates, it poses unique and mounting challenges to governance frameworks, raising urgent questions about international regulation, cooperation, and defense and security issues.
The collaborative agreement between University College Cork and Northwestern University will look to develop answers to a wide range of AI related geopolitical and national security questions:
– What are the geopolitical risks and opportunities associated with AI development?
– What strategies are being developed to prevent the misuse of AI?
– How can states promote responsible and ethical AI development to shape the future of AI in a way that ensures security and benefits humanity?
An Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland), Micheál Martin, said:
“AI can be a game-changer in helping us to deal with many of the economic and societal challenges we face. Of course, whilst AI is bringing about many positive and exciting changes, it also comes with new challenges and risks. I welcome this timely partnership announcement between University College Cork and Northwestern University focusing on the geopolitical challenges posed by artificial intelligence. This collaboration will ensure greater connectivity and the generation of new knowledge, insights and opportunities from both research and networking perspectives.”
Professor John O’Halloran, President of University College Cork, said: “On behalf of UCC I’m delighted to welcome this partnership with Northwestern University that will address some of the most pressing and challenging global issues presented by artificial intelligence. This partnership aligns strongly with our strategic research priorities, in particular UCC Futures in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics. I wish to congratulate Professor Barry O’Sullivan and Professor V.S. Subramanian for their leadership.
Professor Barry O’Sullivan, Director of the Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics and UCC’s Futures in AI and Data Analytics, said: “I am delighted to bring our collaboration with Northwestern University, and my colleagues at NSAIL and the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, to the next level. The geopolitical and security issues raised by AI are profound and require transatlantic and international consideration.”
Professor V.S. Subrahmanian, Buffett Institute Faculty Fellow and the Head of Northwestern Security & AI Lab, said: “The partnership between NSAIL and the Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics and University College Cork will bring together the multidisciplinary strengths needed to simultaneously leverage the benefits promised by AI and mitigate the risks through effective governance mechanisms.”
Professor Deborah Cohen, Director, Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs at Northwestern, said: “In a new world order, where AI will be interlaced with geopolitical transformations as well as the climate crisis, it’s essential that universities lead the way in advancing this technology and considering its consequences. We are so pleased to join with the Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics and University College Cork and NSAIL to further our crucial work.”
Professor Sarah Culloty, Head of College of Science, Engineering and Food Science at University College Cork, said: “This partnership is especially timely as much of the international debate focused on AI is focused on the geopolitical dimensions. We look forward to building upon the existing collaboration between Northwestern University and University College Cork.”
Photo caption: Photo (L-R): Professor Sarah Culloty (Head of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science at UCC), Professor Barry O’Sullivan (Director of the Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics and UCC’s Futures in AI and Data Analytics), Professor V.S. Subrahmanian (Buffett Institute Faculty Fellow and the Head of Northwestern Security & AI Lab), Professor John O’Halloran (UCC President), Professor Ursula Kilkelly (Vice President for Global Engagement at UCC).