Networking Event Opened the Efficient and Responsible AI Summit

Senior Figures from Academia, Industry, and Municipal Government Convened at HIT Prior to the Opening of the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Conference.

Photo: Ilanit Kitzoni

A preliminary networking event was held at HIT - Holon Institute of Technology the day before the opening of the "Efficient and Responsible Artificial Intelligence – R&D Challenges" Summit, bringing together senior figures from academia, industry, and the public sector. The summit addressed one of the most pressing issues in the technological world: the transition of AI systems from research phases to the heart of business and industrial activity, while maintaining ethical boundaries and social responsibility.

The networking event was held in the presence of HIT President Prof. Eduard Yakubov, Holon Mayor Mr. Shai Keinan, HIT Vice President for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and International Relations Dr. Refael Berkan, HIT CEO Shmuel Goldberg, senior officials from the Municipality of Holon, Dr. Nava Shaked, Head of the School of Multidisciplinary Studies at HIT who initiated the conference together with Avner Algom, founder and manager of the AI Academia-Industry community, Hadas Lorber, Head of the Institute for Applied Research in Responsible Artificial Intelligence at HIT, Vice Rector for International Relations at the Hellenic Mediterranean University Prof. Konstantinos Petridis, Aharon Elkins from the University of San Diego, and conference speakers including Nati Shalom from Dell and Roni Shalit from Bright Data.

At the center of the opening event, Dr. Sarah Besson, head of accessibility and inclusion in developing countries at Google Global, delivered an inspiring lecture titled "Technology, Culture and Witchcraft."

Prof. Eduard Yakubov: "We are in a new era, where the pace of development and obsolescence will accompany us continuously. After ChatGPT and other tools, more and more new technologies will arrive. The challenge is not in their very appearance, but in our ability to deal with them and extract maximum benefit from them. The benefit is clear: when we study, research and develop together – we also know where to set the boundaries."

Mr. Shai Keinan: "Holon is embarking on the AI path and is advancing the subject in all aspects of life: in education, security, infrastructure, urban renewal, and in preparing the city for the coming decades. The vision for Holon is clear: Holon will be the technological hub for technology companies that are already choosing to operate in it today, towards the growth and strengthening of the city in the upgraded industrial and employment center that is taking shape these days."

Dr. Refael Berkan: "The word 'responsible' in the expression 'responsible artificial intelligence' is not just an adjective describing artificial intelligence, but also an expression of our responsibility, as human beings, as developers and as users. This responsibility rests on us in academia as educators of those students, developers and AI users in the present and future, for responsibility, alongside and especially because of the decisive impact that AI has on all areas of our lives."