Events

10th Seminar on 07/07/2025. The AE4RIA Research Seminar Series, a webinar organised by Resees, Research Laboratory AUEB and Sustainable Development Unit – ATHENA RC, hosted by Prof. Dr. Phoebe Koundouri. This series is dedicated to exploring cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research at the intersection of Economic, Social, and Natural Systems. Bringing together leading academics, each seminar aims to address pressing global challenges and provide valuable insights to guide the transition towards sustainable growth.

Date: 07 July 2025
Time: 12:00 – 13:00 EET
Format: Hybrid (In-Person & online) at the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB)

Topic: Closing the AI Gap between High-Income Countries and Emerging Markets and Developing Economies

Presenter: Prof. Yanis Ben Amor, Executive Director, Center for Sustainable Development & Assistant Professor of Global Health and Microbiological Sciences, Columbia University USA

Abstract:

While AI technologies, particularly Large Languages Models such as ChatGPT, offer numerous opportunities for enhancing education, research, and innovation, their widespread adoption and effective utilization require substantial resources, infrastructure, and expertise. This discrepancy in resources between developed and developing countries could widen the gap between their respective universities, and their ability to use or develop these AI technologies. This session will explore how the availability of computational resources, data, expertise and talent readiness, as well as financial resources all play a crucial role and will determine or hinder the capacity to train and deploy advanced AI models. Training AI models like ChatGPT requires significant computational power and storage capabilities. Universities in developed countries often possess powerful computing infrastructure and can afford high-performance hardware or cloud-based services for AI training. Developed countries, with their advanced technological infrastructure and access to abundant data sources, are also more likely to possess the necessary data for training sophisticated AI models. In addition, developed countries tend to have a more established ecosystem for AI research and a larger pool of skilled professionals. They often attract top talent, have well-funded research programs, and offer extensive opportunities for collaboration. Finally, developed countries, with greater financial resources, can allocate substantial funds to AI initiatives in universities, enabling them to pursue cutting-edge research, establish specialized AI centers, and offer competitive salaries to AI professionals. This is in stark contrast with the resources available in developing countries. The session will try to suggest solutions, particularly for developers when designing, developing or deploying AI models, to prevent a widening digital divide brought by AI between the Global South and the Global North.

Join us online: Zoom Link 

Meeting ID: 834 5256 6083

Passcode: 519633