Affiliated members of the ABC reflect on the S20 meeting
Between March 11th and 12th, 2024, a group of affiliated members of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC) accepted the invitation extended by the Academy’s Directorate to all its members and greatly appreciated the opportunity to participate in the Inaugural Meeting of the 8th edition of Science 20 (S20). The event brought together representatives from the academies of sciences of 19 countries, as well as the European Union, the African Union, and other international science, technology, and innovation (STI) organizations. Learn more.
The meeting, integrated into the G20 agenda and hosted by Brazil this year, was organized by the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, with the primary objective of fostering dialogue among the scientific community of G20 countries and drafting relevant recommendations for the governments of participating countries. With the overarching theme “Science for Global Transformation,” five topics of global relevance were discussed: bioeconomy, artificial intelligence, health challenges, social justice, and the energy transition process.
Rodrigo Toniol, Thaiane Oliveira, Uéverton dos Santos Souza, Julia Clarke, Joanna Souza-Fabjan, and Tiago Mendes
Over the course of the two-day debate, the group of affiliated members of the ABC, consisting of Thaiane Oliveira, Ulisses Pereira, Julia Clarke, Rodrigo Toniol, Joanna Souza-Fabjan, Tiago Mendes, and Uéverton dos Santos Souza, reflected on some aspects of the meeting and expressed some of the shared reflections.
The revolution of artificial intelligence requires a deepening in the humanities
There was consensus on the unique nature of the current technological revolution, driven by artificial intelligence (AI). Unlike previous technological revolutions, where lower-level intellectual jobs were most impacted, in the AI era, high-level intellectual positions are also subject to replacement. This is a concern shared by many representatives, who emphasized the importance of open-access AI tools. The data used to train these algorithms are generated by everyone and, therefore, should be considered common goods accessible to all. The concentration of these tools in the hands of those with financial resources can further widen inequalities between nations and individuals.
Despite the undeniable benefits brought by artificial intelligence and the rapid evolution of communication technologies, there is an emerging consensus among countries on the need to carefully examine the impacts of these technologies, especially on vulnerable communities. Crucial issues such as data surveillance, privacy, and cybersecurity highlight the urgency of deepening the debate on the ethics of using these technologies, both at the national level and in global governance.
It became clear in the discussions that scientific and technological development cannot be seen as a tool to exert control over populations, restrict individual freedoms, or perpetuate social injustices. Thus, there is an imperative need for deep ethical reflection on the use of these innovations, ensuring that they contribute to social well-being, democracy in countries, and the advancement of humanity as a whole.
To this end, the importance of investment in humanities research was highlighted. As scientific and technological progress advances at an accelerated pace, it is fundamental for all fields of knowledge to recognize the importance of the social aspect in their research. Furthermore, in various speeches by representatives of global academies, the vital need to strengthen the role of humanities in the formulation of public policies was evident, ensuring a holistic and socially committed approach aligned with society’s needs.
This concern stands out in the contemporary scenario, where despite technological advancement and the proliferation of communication and information tools offering extraordinary potential to connect societies globally, paradoxically, this era of connectivity is being marked by an increasing difficulty in dialogue and effective communication among different strata of society.
In this context, it is crucial to highlight the crucial role of global science academies. They not only monitor the science, technology & innovation plans of countries but also play an active role in shaping public opinion, promoting engagement between science, government, society, and policymakers. This dynamic interaction is essential to ensure that scientific and technological progress is aligned with the needs and values of society.
Furthermore, the academies contribute to a more democratic and inclusive approach to policy and strategy development, thereby strengthening national sovereignty over their own knowledge among G20 countries. As pointed out by Academic Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz, senior vice president of Elsevier Research Networks and emeritus professor at Unicamp, regions such as the Amazon have vast knowledge and resources that must be protected and valued as part of humanity’s global heritage. It is crucial to promote recognition of the advancement of scientific knowledge in the South while promoting more equitable and inclusive dialogues between the North and the global South. This implies recognizing and celebrating each country’s unique contributions, their productive forces of knowledge for the greater advancement of human knowledge, aiming for global collaboration based on social justice.
A fundamental aspect highlighted during the discussions was the impact that all these changes will have on the youth population. Among the challenges highlighted by the present representatives, the importance of carefully analyzing how AI, climate change, energy transition, and other topics addressed by the working groups will affect this demographic was evident. This concern also extends to young scientists, whose future is closely linked to developments in these areas. The rapid evolution of AI technologies can significantly alter the nature of scientific work, requiring other skills and adaptive competencies from the new generations.
Furthermore, global challenges such as climate change, health crises, energy transition, and cybersecurity, among others, represent urgent issues that will require innovative and interdisciplinary solutions, in which young scientists from around the world will have a crucial role to play. In this sense, we emphasize that young scientists will need to be prepared to face these challenges, acquiring interdisciplinary skills, adaptability, and a comprehensive understanding of the ethical and social issues related to AI and climate change. At the same time, opportunities and support must be created for young scientists to contribute significantly to addressing these global challenges, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for the next generations.
“We believe that young scientists like us and the next generations of scientists will be fundamental in building the much-needed bridges with society, as highlighted in numerous speeches and by the present audience. Therefore, a joint commitment from all sectors of society is necessary, including governments, academic institutions, the private sector, and civil society, to pay special attention to the new generations of scientists, ensuring that these young professionals from various scientific fields, including Humanities, are trained and supported in their scientific journeys, thus enabling significant and ethically committed participation in the dialogue between science and society. Only through inclusive and open dialogue promoted by science can we fully harness the potential of emerging technologies to promote the common good and build a fairer and more sustainable future for all,” concluded the document sent to the Brazilian Academy of Sciences by the affiliated members.
“It was an immense honor to be invited by ABC to participate in the S20 opening meeting as an observer. The joy was only surpassed by the contagious energy that permeated the entire event. It was incredibly inspiring to meet and have the opportunity to listen to remarkable scientists discussing such relevant and varied topics, from the ethical use of artificial intelligence tools to global health challenges and the pursuit of a more sustainable planet! This event was a true boost to move forward, filled with determination, aware of the urgent issues our society faces, and inspired to contribute significantly to a better future.”
Joanna Souza-Fabjan, PhD in Veterinary Sciences from the State University of Ceará (UECE). Assistant professor at the Federal Fluminense University (UFF) in the Veterinary Medicine course and permanent member of the Graduate Programs in Veterinary Medicine and in Sciences and Biotechnology, both at UFF. Affiliated member of ABC RJ elected for the period 2024-2028.
“It was very important to follow the event and have a broad view of how the science conducted by us today can help guide the guidelines for the future. Science is part of our lives, both as individuals and as a society. Therefore, a science-based debate on topics that affect us in our daily lives is very important and necessary. For me, it was especially stimulating to hear about the concerns involving the health area – many of which I share and address in my research. Furthermore, it was very interesting to hear the opinions of experts from other areas on subjects that are so present and decisive for everyone’s life. I consider that ABC has done an excellent job in drafting the preliminary document and in conducting the event, which I see as very successful.”
Julia Clarke, PhD in Medicine from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Assistant professor at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Affiliated member of ABC RJ elected for the period 2024-2028.
“The nature of meetings like S20 is necessarily to foster international cooperation. For this reason, the general tone of the meeting was to identify cross-cutting issues and seek common terms to address them. However, this does not mean that this is not also a meeting for the international community to show solidarity with more specific local issues, as was the case with the demonstration of support for the deep budget cuts that Argentine scientists are facing.”
Rodrigo Toniol, PhD in Social Anthropology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Permanent professor of the Graduate Program in Sociology and Anthropology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Affiliated member of ABC RJ elected for the period 2024-2028.
“Participating in the discussions at the S20 Inaugural Meeting was an excellent opportunity for my scientific career. It was rewarding to hear from various representatives about the importance of recognizing the role of humanities and communication to strengthen dialogue with society. A science committed to well-being must value not only technological advancement but also understand the ethical and social issues that permeate our society. Recognizing the diversity of knowledge is essential to preserve national and global sovereignty. Through this joint commitment and the open dialogue promoted by science, we can fully harness the potential of emerging technologies and other emerging knowledge to build a fairer and more sustainable future for all.”
Thaiane Oliveira, PhD in Communication from the Federal Fluminense University (UFF). Full professor at UFF, where she coordinates the Laboratory of Research in Science, Innovation, Technology, and Education. Affiliated member of ABC RJ elected for the period 2022-2026.
“Participating as an observer at the S20 provided a better understanding of how public policy applied to scientific development can be enriched through discussion and insights from communities with high diversity, much like the participants in the events. Understanding the common and specific points of each nation and political bloc related to concerns about scientific and technological development is a valuable tool for our own growth as scientists, aligned with social demands and needs. The important topics discussed during the meeting are integrated into my projects and discussed within the research groups I have the closest relationships with, aiming to amplify the important messages obtained from the event. Additionally, it was possible to make new contacts for future collaborations on a global scale, contributing to a more integrative, internationalized, and accessible science.”
Tiago de Oliveira Mendes, PhD in Bioinformatics from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). Associate Professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV). Affiliated member of ABC MG&CO elected for the period 2022-2026.
“Participating in the discussions at the S20 was very interesting and enriching. Especially as a computer scientist, seeing the global concerns about the influence of technologies and artificial intelligence on society and the maintenance of democracy reinforces how the regulation of AI tools should be discussed today. I also noticed the concern about the potential increase in technological inequality between countries, since a large part of the volume of data as well as the processing power of these data are centralized in a few companies based in rich countries, which also raises questions about the reproducibility of experiments and their results.”
Uéverton dos Santos Souza, PhD in Computer Science from the Federal Fluminense University (UFF). Professor at the Institute of Computing of UFF. Affiliated member of ABC RJ elected for the period 2024-2028.
“The S20 initiation meeting was exciting from the moment we received the invitation! On the day of the event, I felt an indescribable emotion being close to and talking with people whom I admire so much. It was special to realize that science is filled with amazing people who think broadly, outside the box, with the goal of significantly impacting the transformation towards a better world. It was also gratifying to see that the topics that guided the event fit perfectly with my research line, such as aquaculture in bioeconomy and resistance to antibacterials, which are relevant topics in health challenges. Never has an event encouraged me so much to continue in science, especially focused on innovation and the construction of the Brazilian science of the future.”
Ulisses de Pádua Pereira, PhD in Veterinary Sciences from the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA). Associate Professor at the State University of Londrina (UEL). Affiliated member of ABC Sul elected for the period 2024-2028.
