Workshop details
This invitation-only workshop will take place over two days in person at the University of Oxford. Participants will come from around the world, and will be provided with written materials in preparation for the two days of discussion. The workshop will produce a first version of the Oxford Oath, an ethical commitment for AI practitioners.
Preparatory materials
Prior to the workshop, all participants will receive a number of documents as preparatory reading:
- a framing document on a professional commitment for AI practitioners and lessons to be drawn from the medical profession
- a theological background document
- a summary of the salient points from the previous workshops
- a brief reading list of published papers and materials relevant to the workshop
- an initial draft of the Oxford Oath, so that participants can work together on a concrete proposal
Practical matters
All participants in the workshop will be provided with:
- lunch and dinner (and morning and afternoon refreshments) on each of the two days of the workshop
- the option of accommodation in Oriel College, near to the conference venue, from the Sunday evening through to the Wednesday morning
Participants will need to provide for incidental costs arising.
Outputs
The main outputs from the workshop will be:
- the Oxford Oath itself, namely a theologically-informed professional commitment for AI practitioners (scientists, engineers, and other industry participants), suitable for a broad group including secular people
- a theological rationale for the Oxford Oath, providing the ethical reasoning which underlies the commitment
There is also an intention to publish a journal special edition, which will include other materials developed in relation to the workshop.
Workshop format
The primary aim of the workshop is to collaborate on the Oxford Oath and its theological rationale, and so the bulk of the time across the two days will be spent in group work. There will be six short invited talks across the two days (three each day), all designed to stimulate conversation and constructive debate. The remainder of the time will be spent in structured group activity, facilitated by the organisers, building the theological rationale and the Oxford Oath itself.
All participants will be committed to engaging with all the sessions across both days of the workshop.
Promulgation
After the workshop, the Oxford Oath and theological rationale will be promulgated through a number of parallel routes:
- direct connection with industry leaders, allowing the professional commitment to be tested out with AI practitioners
- scholarly publication, most likely in an edited journal special edition
- through press and social media distribution
Follow up
The organisers recognise that the field of AI is fast-moving, and our intention is to engage with AI scientists, engineers, and industry participants over time to obtain feedback on how well the Oath is functioning in their practice.
