Campus and Community

Series of talks on Artificial Intelligence at Técnico ended with a discussion on ethics and social responsibility

February 18th

The final talk highlighted the importance of governance, literacy and social participation in the development of AI, particularly in its interaction with the physical world.

The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems in interaction with the physical world poses new ethical, legal and social challenges that require multidisciplinary responses. This was the central topic of the session “Ethics and Social Responsibility of AI”, held on 13 February 2026, at Técnico Innovation Center powered by Fidelidade, which closed the series of talks “Artificial Intelligence in Interaction with the Physical World”, organised by the Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR-Lisboa/LARSyS), in collaboration with Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa.

The talk brought together experts from different fields to reflect on the principles that should guide the development of these systems, focusing on the “common good and the promotion of fundamental human values”. The panel brought together Filipa Correia, a professor at Técnico and researcher at the Interactive Technologies Institute (ITI/LARSyS); Luís Barreto Xavier, a professor at Universidade Católica Portuguesa; Porfírio Silva, a researcher in Philosophy of Science and collaborator at ISR-Lisboa; and Paulo Mota Pinto, from University of Coimbra. The session was moderated by Hugo Nicolau, a professor at Técnico and researcher at ITI/LARSyS.

The importance of integrating ethical reflection from the early stages of research was highlighted during the session. Filipa Correia stressed the role of ethics committees in validating scientific projects and the need to involve different levels of responsibility. “Ethical opinion cannot be centred solely on our community. Responsibility must be shared by all those who work and invest in this area”, she said, also pointing to the gradual implementation of these mechanisms in Portugal.

“In experimental research, there is a concern for informed consent and transparency of processes. In commercial contexts, despite ethical considerations, technological advancement often occurs at a faster pace, and this transition to society is not always straightforward”, she argued for continuous reflection on usage models and their broader social impacts. “Questioning is the starting point for solving many problems”.

From a legal and regulatory standpoint, Luís Barreto Xavier addressed the European framework for Artificial Intelligence. He highlighted the regulation approved by the European Union in 2024, which is still in the implementation phase. According to Luís Barreto Xavier, certain systems are considered “high risk,” such as autonomous vehicles, smart toys, and medical devices, and require additional layers of supervision. “There is a lack of consensus on this issue. For some, this regulation may hinder innovation and the economy. However, the development of these systems should be guided by ethical and legal standards”, he said, also stressing the urgent need to promote AI literacy and establish protection mechanisms for the most vulnerable citizens.

The discussion also included a philosophical and social perspective on the role of technology in human relations. According to Porfírio Silva, ethics should be viewed from a “constructive and dialogical perspective”, oriented towards the common good and based on continuous observation of the consequences of technology. “We are facing a challenge that goes beyond technology. It requires a framework of human relationships where we take responsibility for our choices”, he said. The expert highlighted the opacity of many systems and emphasised the need to develop more robust mechanisms to control and analyse the circumstances in which these systems are used.

Paulo Mota Pinto highlighted the legal issues associated with the lack of transparency in these systems and the variety of stakeholders involved in their development. “A risk-based approach is necessary, but it does not solve all concerns, namely when it comes to determining responsibility”, he shared. The lawyer advocated for a preventive approach, without resorting to an outright ban, especially in higher education: “We should not fear AI, but we must be aware of its risks. It is both possible and essential to strive for a more just society”.

Hugo Nicolau, who moderated the debate, emphasised that ethical reflection requires conscious choices about the technological future. “Considering ethics may be less tangible, but it is crucial for determining what we wish to create”, he said. The researcher also highlighted the challenges associated with scenarios such as the use of social robots in care contexts, questioning the line between support and manipulation and the need to ensure transparency in Artificial Intelligence processes.

The series of talks “Artificial Intelligence in interaction with the physical world” brought together researchers, experts and decision-makers over six sessions to discuss the impacts of AI in different areas. The closing session reinforced the role of Técnico in fostering a multidisciplinary approach that integrates science, engineering, law and philosophy, with the aim of “contributing to the responsible development of technology and the training of professionals and citizens who are prepared to address the challenges of Artificial Intelligence”, said Filipa Correia in her closing remarks.

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