Is it possible to solve all technological problems with artificial intelligence? What skills are needed for its development? Is it possible to incorporate AI in problem solutions at RNP's points of presence (PoPs) or in cybersecurity issues? These were some of the questions answered by Daniela Brauner, coordinator of the Technical Committee on Data Science and Artificial Intelligence of the network, Antonio “Guto” Rocha, professor at UFF, and Wagner Meira, professor at UFMG, this Thursday (1st), at the last day of the 2022 RNP Forum. 

Based on questions raised by Lisandro Granville, panel moderator, the specialists talked about how to use technology in different areas of research, with emphasis on applications of interest to the RNP System.

In Guto's view, the hype of artificial intelligence has made people believe that it is the key to solving “all the world's problems”. “One of the big questions is precisely knowing how to identify what can be solved with AI techniques and what is not”, he pondered. 

And it is not so simple to develop this ability to recognize what can be solved through AI. Daniela Brauner listed some characteristics of the best professionals in this field: being creative and enjoying studying, knowing how to manipulate data, knowing the programming language, mastering mathematics and being a good problem solver. 

“But there is no one with all these expertise”, she acknowledged. “So, it is essential to have soft skills, such as communication and adaptability, to work in a team. Data Science and AI are done with multidisciplinary teams”, she highlighted.

In the context of PoPs and RNP, Wagner Meira highlighted that the use of AI needs to be integrated. “The problem of a PoP is probably the same as others, and the integration of techniques for the use of artificial intelligence in their daily activities and even in development challenges can be organized”, said the professor.

Already in the final minutes of the panel, participants reflected on whether AI will one day be able to replace the human network operator, such as PoP professionals throughout Brazil. The four panelists were unanimous in saying no. The expert will continue to be essential to “teach” the AI algorithms what are the problems to be solved. 

They also analyzed some issues of ethics and human values within the scope of AI. Once again, the focus was on the decisive role of the human resource. “Behind any artificial intelligence, there are people who, by action or omission, can misrepresent the use of technology”, concluded Wagner Meira.

If you want to go even deeper into Artificial Intelligence and the potential ethical conflicts it can give rise to, watch the RNP 2022 Forum podcast on the network's YouTube channel.

Inclusion and equality in science

The day was also marked by a debate on inclusive leadership and the role of women in Information Technology. Carla Pires, Director of Information Technology at IFSUL, Claudia Marquesani, Chief Information Officer at Petz, and Marcela Gobo, manager of higher education projects at the British Council, spoke about their personal and professional trajectories, and about projects that encourage the participation of women in the sector. The mediation was carried out by Fernanda Cruz, deputy director of Information Technology at RNP.

From an industrial informatics course, while still at school, Claudia Marquesani followed her entire career in the technological area. In addition to holding the leadership position at Petz, she has been researching inclusion in IT in depth: she participated in two books and developed her master's thesis on the female presence in the technology sector.

“I've always heard: 'How are you a woman and how did you get to where you are?' I tried to find the factors that boost women's careers and those that can get in the way,” she said.

The difference between genders was also present in Carla Pires' trajectory. With a group of women, she idealized the Meninas Exatas initiative, which has the support of RNP and encourages female protagonism. “We have to show the difficulties we went through and that prejudice is still present. But we also need to show that things are changing. It's slow, but we're here. More and more women are occupying strategic and leadership positions”, emphasized Pires.

Unlike the other speakers, Marcela Gobo is not from the technology area. With a background in Industrial Design, Science and Humanities and International Relations, she serves as Higher Education Project Manager at the British Council. The institution maintains projects aimed at reducing gender inequality, such as Women in Science. 

Marcela detailed the actions developed by the entity. “We focus on capacity building, strengthening networks and promoting the science agenda for women. They say that science and women don't mix, so we try to break the pre-judgments that still exist about what belongs to one gender or the other."

Among the initiatives that make up the Women in Science program is the Women in Tech – Inclusive Leadership training, which has a partnership with RNP. The objective is to reach researchers, professionals or entrepreneurs in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, so that they develop their interpersonal skills and advance in their careers.