Authorities hold AI conference in Lavra's Refectory Church

An AI conference in the Lavra’s Refectory Church. Photo: Facebook / Lavra Reserve

An international meeting of representatives of the Order of Malta and UNESCO, devoted to the role of artificial intelligence amid a humanitarian crisis, was held in the Refectory Church of the Upper Lavra, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve reported on Facebook.

Representatives of state institutions, diplomats and experts discussed the risks and opportunities of modern technologies. The event was organized by the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Ukraine in partnership with the UNESCO mission. Representatives of the humanitarian sector, universities and the technology community took part in the discussion.

Conference participants examined the practical impact of neural networks on medicine, education and humanitarian projects. Experts paid particular attention to demining territories with the help of new technologies. According to the organizers, the use of AI could become an important tool in overcoming the consequences of hostilities.

Maksym Ostapenko, director general of the reserve, focused on the danger of using technology to spread disinformation. According to him, after the events of June 15, the reserve’s administration encountered the activity of “Kremlin bots” engaged in manipulation and distortion of reality. Ostapenko stressed that technological development must be accompanied by stronger critical-thinking skills among the public.

“Artificial intelligence opens up great opportunities in various fields, but we see that it is increasingly being used to create fakes and manipulations,” Maksym Ostapenko said. “After the Russian attack on June 15, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra experienced firsthand how Kremlin bots operate, specializing in the distortion of reality.”

In addition to technological issues, forum participants discussed ways to counter information attacks in the humanitarian sector. According to the reserve’s leadership, the Lavra continues to serve as a platform for international dialogue on issues important to Ukraine and the global community. At the end of the meeting, representatives of international organizations confirmed their intention to develop cooperation in the field of technological security.

As the UOJ reported, the Ministry of Culture explained why the OCU has so few monks in the Lavra.

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