Dive deeper into the aspects covered in this lesson with these readings that expand on the topics discussed. Each reading includes reflective questions to help you focus on key learning points and strengthen your understanding.

Reading: Trust, Trustworthiness and AI Governance.
By Christian Lahusen, Martino Maggetti, Marija Slavkovik.

As you might have understood from the lecture, and will continue exploring during this week, trust in artificial intelligence is a complex and multifaceted issue that goes beyond mere technical reliability. This paper distinguishes between trust, a human attitude toward AI, and trustworthiness, the qualities that make AI deserving of trust. Drawing from sociology, political science, and computer science, the authors examine how transparency, reliability, and fairness contribute to trustworthiness, alongside the roles of explainability and accountability. The paper also highlights risks such as bias, opacity, and ethical challenges, offering a framework for understanding how trust in AI can be built, maintained, and critically assessed.

Reading time: ~45 min

   Download the reading

Reflective questions

  • How do different actors (developers, regulators, public administrators) work together to build trustworthy AI governance?
  • Why is an interdisciplinary approach, including perspectives from both humans and machines, essential for aligning AI values?
  • What is automated decision-making in the context of the EU Act?

Source: Lahusen C, Maggetti M, Slavkovik M. Trust, trustworthiness and AI governance. Sci Rep. 2024 Sep 5;14(1):20752. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-71761-0. PMID: 39237635; PMCID: PMC11377768.  Link

Reading: Excellence and Trust in Artificial Intelligence. Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI).
By the European Commission.

Take a look at this European Commission article highlighting the EU’s strategy to balance innovation and trust in AI. This initiative includes the world’s first legal framework for AI—the EU AI Act—which establishes clear rules to promote transparency, accountability, and safety while fostering excellence in AI development. By categorizing AI systems based on risk, from minimal to unacceptable, the EU aims to protect human fundamental rights while supporting research and business growth. This reading may be especially useful as preparation for our next lesson!     Go to Website

Reading time: ~15 min

Reflective questions

  • What is the scope of the EU AI Act?
  • How will EU investments and initiatives contribute to AI excellence and societal benefits?