19 February 2025
Bilbao Campus
The Etorkintza Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary on February 19 at the University of Deusto with a meeting on “Artificial Intelligence (AI), ethical challenges and opportunities” with the participation of different experts in the field. This space for reflection and debate was presented by Jon Ruiz, Director of Treatment of the Etorkintza Foundation, Nora Sarasola, Director of Social Work of the BBK Foundation; and Aitziber Irigoras Alberdi, Vice Chancellor of Deusto.
Among the participants were Naiara Belio, journalist specialized in Technology, algorithmic processes and data protection, and Lorena Fernandez, Director of Digital Communication at Deusto. In their conversation, moderated by María José Schultz of the Etorkintza Foundation, these experts spoke of the enormous potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform social intervention by offering tools that optimize the identification of needs, the personalization of services and the evaluation of impact.
From an ethical perspective, they believe it is essential to ensure that these systems respect human dignity, minimize bias and prioritize equity. For example, AI can analyze large volumes of data to detect patterns of exclusion or vulnerability, helping to design more inclusive policies. However, they noted that its use must be guided by sound ethical principles, such as transparency in algorithms, protection of sensitive data, and involvement of affected communities in the design and implementation of these technologies. Only in this way can AI become an ally that enhances social impact without compromising people's fundamental rights.
Naiara Bello works at AlgorithmWatch, a non-profit organization that monitors the impact of algorithms and automated systems on society. Founded in 2016 in Berlin, it is dedicated to investigating how these systems affect areas such as justice, employment and health, and promotes transparency and ethics in their use.
