Program
Mon, 23 March 2026 (all times are CET)
|
09:00 - 09:30 |
OpeningRenzo Pegoraro, Pontifical Academy for Life, VA Welcome Ralf Stutzki, NCCR MSE, CH Ethics and Engineering Life, Introduction and Overview |
|
09:30 - 10:15 |
KeynoteTelmo Pievani, University of Padua, IT TBA |
| 10:15 - 10:45 | Coffee break |
|
10:45 - 12:15 |
Panel 1: Science and Human Being moderator: Laura Palazzani & Kevin FitzGerald Paolo Traverso, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, IT Céline Lafontaine, University of Montreal, CA Corné Baatenburg de Jong, ReumaNederland, NL Monica Consolandi, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, IT |
| 12:15 - 13:30 | Lunch |
|
13:30 - 15:00 |
Panel 2: Human Body moderator: Maurizio MuracaIvan Martin, University of Basel & University Hospital of Basel, CH Paola Giacomoni, University of Trento, IT Stefano Knuchel, Director, screenwriter and producer, CH Daniel J. Hurst, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, USA |
| 15:00 - 15:30 | Coffee break |
|
15:30 - 17:00 |
Panel 3: Human Consciousness moderator: Rouven PorzVidas Balčius, Pontifical Urban University, IT Marcello Massimini, University of Milan, IT Hope Kean, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA |
|
17:00 - 19:00 |
Human Body and Cinema moderator: Ralf StutzkiDavid Cronenberg, Director, screenwriter and producer, CA |
Tue, 24 March 2026 (all times are CET)
|
09:15 - 10:00 |
KeynoteNaomi Oreskes, Harvard University, USA TBA |
| 10:00 - 10:30 | Coffee break |
|
10:30 - 12:00 |
Panel 4: Spirituality moderator: Donna OrsutoAmir Dziri, University of Fribourg, CH Tullio Proserpio, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, IT Guido Giordano, Roma Tre University, IT Andrea Genazzani, University of Pisa, IT Ana Maria Ganev, Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, IT |
| 12:00 - 13:15 | Lunch |
|
13:15 - 14:45 |
Panel 5: Responsibility and Communication moderator: Stefano SempliciBert Gordijn, Dublin City University, IE Maria Patrão Neves, University of the Azores, PT Luigi Ripamonti, Corriere della Sera, IT John P. A. Ioannidis, Stanford University, USA |
| 14:45 - 15:15 | Coffee break |
| 15:15 - 16:15 | Final Discussion and Roundup |
|
17:00 - 19:00 |
When Sound Becomes Dialogue moderator: Ralf StutzkiAlexey Botvinov, Pianist, UA Burhan Öçal, Percussionist and actor, TR |
Is AI Affecting User Autonomy?
Mauro Dragoni, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, IT
In human-computer interaction (HCI), understanding and encouraging user autonomy within dialogue systems is essential, especially for applications like health advisory chatbots where user control over information is critical (https://arxiv.org/html/2402.09716.pdf; https://blog.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/2024/03/national-oxford-uehiro-prize-in-practical-ethics-undisclosed-conversational-ais-a-threat-to-users-autonomy/). Based on Webster dictionary autonomy refers to “the quality or state of being self-governing”. Savolainen&Ruckenstein (2024) divide the user autonomy of AI agents into various dimensions such as decision-making autonomy, control autonomy, transparency, responsibility, feedback mechanisms, and adaptability. In this study, we are focused on decision-making autonomy, which includes control over conversation flow, and freedom from unnecessary information.
To this end, the present study firstly tries to develop and validate a comprehensive framework to assess user autonomy within dialogue system interactions, and subsequently, it aims to create tools that help improve user control in these systems, allowing users to decide how much information they receive. A better design would answer users’ questions directly and then offer more information only if they require to. This will help build trust and satisfaction, especially when users need to make important decisions.