During a recent visit by a delegation from the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, to Tampere University on 30.09.2024, the coordinator of the CONVERGENCE project presented the groundbreaking initiative that combines social sciences and engineering to tackle complex global challenges. The CONVERGENCE doctoral program at Tampere University fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between fields like AI, sociology, psychology, and ethics. By merging technical expertise with human-centered perspectives, the program aims to develop socially responsible and sustainable solutions to issues emerging from the convergence of human and machine interactions.
The presentation highlighted key aspects of the program, including a unique curriculum that balances advanced technical courses with social science studies, a collaborative research environment, and strong engagement with industry and community partners. The audience, composed of Brazilian government officials, educators, and industry representatives, also witnessed demonstrations of human-centric AI research and applications from the AI HUB at Tampere University (by Pekka Abrahamsson), showcasing how AI can be made more transparent, fair, and trustworthy. CONVERGENCE Doctoral Researchers José Siqueira de Cerqueira presented his research on future Trust & AI, and Chia-Hsin Wu showcased the robo-dog Spot.
The CONVERGENCE coordinator emphasized the potential for collaboration between Tampere University and Brazilian institutions, particularly in shared learning programs, joint research initiatives, and innovation partnerships. The delegation expressed keen interest in these opportunities, recognizing the value of interdisciplinary education and research in driving sustainable development and technological innovation for both regions.
