Artificial intelligence: UNIL's position
Free access to generative AI has brought the power of technology to change back into focus.
With the potential to transform the way we do research, teach and, more generally, work, the deployment and use of AI technologies are calling into question university practices in terms of research and teaching;AI are challenging university practices in terms of research, teaching, organisation and operations, but even more so the ways in which things are done and sometimes how they are done, both individually and collectively.
In the context of respect for human rights, sustainability and democracy, the activities of UNIL's scientific community are intended to make a significant contribution to the development of the university's scientific community; contribute to the societal and ethical debate generated by the development, deployment and use of AI technologies and their impact. It provides clarity and support for this phase through cutting-edge research activities.
This is a key area of research.
As such, UNIL has the advantage of bringing together a diverse range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, environmental sciences and life sciences, as well as a partnership with the Lausanne university health hospital (CHUV-Unisacute;). It also benefits from its close proximity to the Ecole Polytechnique (EPFL), which fosters a privileged partnership.
The EPFL is a world leader in its field.
Building on this background and the areas of expertise it brings together, UNIL is developing research and teaching within its faculties and centres of excellence;excellence, research and teaching that are likely to contribute simultaneously and collectively to reflections on AI technologies and their development and application.
UNIL’s approach is based on four axes:
1. Holistic knowledge of the development, deployment and use of AI and its impact on society
AI is likely to transform social practices, both individually and collectively. In this context, it is essential to question the social, ethical, legal and technical implications of AI. It is also essential to rethink the way in which data is collected, exploited and potentially reused, in terms of reliability, responsibility, integrity, ethics and data protection.
This holistic approach to AI is based on a holistic view of the data that is collected, exploited and potentially reused.
This holistic approach must not only guide research in, with and about AI conducted in UNIL's various areas of expertise, but it must also be at the heart of reflection on research, teaching and administrative practices.
2. The development of centres of excellence in the field of AI
The holistic approach to AI is based on strengthening and developing centres of excellence in AI, which implies strengthening transdisciplinarity over the long term. To achieve this, UNIL intends to invest significantly in fields with strong strategic potential in order to strengthen its capabilities, and thus position itself as a reference on an international scale.
3. Access for researchers to adapted infrastructures
The expansion and development of the research and teaching potential made possible by advances in AI requires universities to ensure that researchers and teachers have access to the necessary resources.
UNIL is therefore promoting the increasing accessibility and gradual centralisation of computational resources within its internal infrastructures, supported by the ongoing efforts of researchers and central services. This model also encourages the secure use of shared infrastructures at a national and international level.
This is a major step forward in the development of computational resources.
In doing so, UNIL supports the rational use of AI, which also aims to improve the energy footprint of research methods and processes. Researchers at UNIL are thus taking part in efforts to use AI to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
4. A learning organisation march
AI is a resource that can be exploited where it can offer added value, whether in administration, teaching, study or research. In order to ensure that all its members are able to make the best possible use of it and are fully aware of its limits and potential, UNIL wants to encourage the development of everyone’s skills. In order to contribute to digital culture and the dissemination of knowledge in and about AI, it encourages the inclusion of courses in and about AI in its curricula.