Using algorithms to successfully combat covid-19? Tracking apps and the perception of AI. As part of the Digiloglounge discussion series, Ekaterina Jussupow and Prof. Dr. Armin Heinzl talk with Sabine Faller about what such algorithms can or cannot actually do.

In Germany, the use of tracking apps is currently being discussed in order to better track the course of the COVID-19 disease and to prevent infections. In other countries, however, more drastic measures have already been taken. China and Russia, for example, are making use of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to provide real-time information against violations of quarantine measures. The algorithms use neural networks to recognize faces and then match them with a known database (such as passport photos of quarantined citizens). Chinese companies have already developed such algorithms to the point where they are able to recognize people wearing face masks. However, little is known about the accuracy of such algorithms used against COVID-19.

However, AI algorithms are not only used to fight COVID-19, but also in crime fighting in general, but also in companies or to support medical decisions. Our research is about the perception of AI algorithms and how they influence our decisions. In this live chat we will talk about what such algorithms are and can or cannot do, where ethical issues lie (especially in times of COVID-19) and how we can make decisions together with such algorithms.

The event is part of the #digiloglounge discussion series. Once a month, experts from digilog@bw will give an insight into their digital research topics and answer questions in the video livestream!

The event is accompanied by the telegram group zkm_digiloglounge. We cordially invite you to ask questions in the chat of the group or to join the discussion via our Twitter @digilogbw! 
Note: In order to join the chat group you have to register with Telegram in advance. You can find instructions here.

Ekaterina Jussupow (research associate and PhD student) conducts research in various projects on the impact of AI systems on the future of medicine. She is doing her PhD under Prof. Armin Heinzl at the University of Mannheim.

Prof. Armin Heinzl has held the Chair of General Management and Information Systems at the University of Mannheim since 2002. His research focuses on the characteristics of information and communication technologies and their effects on task managers, processes, platforms, and organizations. In doing so, he not only tries to improve existing theories through empirical investigations, but also to design new technologies in a more targeted manner on the basis of empirical findings.

Sabine Faller ist wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin in der Abteilung Museumskommunikation am ZKM | Karlsruhe. Ihr Schwerpunkt liegt in der Konzeption und Umsetzung von Workshops, Projekten und Bildungsprogrammen in den Bereichen Medienkunst, Digitale Bildung sowie Online Lernen – aktuell für das Forschungsprojekt »Digitalisierung im Dialog – digilog@bw«.

Website

Die Veranstaltung im Livestream

Credits

• Sabine Faller (Moderation)