AI Global Governance Focus Group - Japan

Thank you for your interest in the comparative focus group study of the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) collective of the Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility of De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. The focus groups aim to explore stakeholders’ views on the possibilities, concerns and possible societal effects of AI in the following countries/regions: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey and Egypt. The study aims to contribute to academic and policy debates on regional and shared global challenges to the use and governance of AI-based technologies and applications.

The focus groups will take place between September and November 2020 (the exact dates have been confirmed in your invitation email). You will receive an email with the dial-in details prior to the event. But please block the time provided in the invitation email in your calendar, to avoid double booking.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING

Global Governance of AI Collective, Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility

Understanding how AI is discussed, governed and used around the world – a comparative online focus group study in 16 countries

Information Sheet

Please take some time to read this information and contact the organisers to ask questions if anything is unclear.

Contact details can be found at the end of this document.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING

Global Governance of AI Collective, Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility

Understanding how AI is discussed, governed and used around the world – a comparative online focus group study in 12 countries

Information Sheet

Please take some time to read this information and contact the organisers to ask questions if anything is unclear.

Contact details can be found at the end of this document.

What is the purpose of this study?

The study is a comparative focus group study that examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-based robots are discussed, governed and used around the world. It explores views on the possibilities, concerns and transformative effects of AI in 16 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

The study aims to:

- Contribute to academic and policy debates on the regional and shared global challenges to the governance of AI technologies

- Generate comparative insights into the ways in which AI is discussed, governed and used around the world

- Explore the impact of global differences in wealth, culture, political systems and scientific capacities

Who is organising this research?

The research is developed and conducted by the AI Global Governance Group (AI-GGG) of the Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility (CCSR) of De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester, UK. The group consists of 12 members of CCSR, the Faculty of Law and the School of Computer Science and Informatics of DMU, who are interested in the deployment and transformative potential of AI in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Research Ethics Committee of De Montfort University has reviewed and approved this research.

What are the possible benefits of participating?

The study will provide insights into the challenges and possibilities of AI innovation in four world regions, including an understanding of shared global challenges and ways to address these. It aims to contribute to academic and policy debates on the use and governance of AI-based technologies and applications. We will share the publications and other output from this study with you, which may provide information that is relevant to your organization and contribute to discussions on the responsible use of AI technologies in your country and broader region.

Why have I been chosen?

The project aims to conduct 2 online focus groups with a minimum of 10 participants per country. The focus groups comprise several types of experts and stakeholders – e.g., representatives from policy, science, industry, civil society, politics, media, academia, interested members of the public etc.

Taking part in the study

Participation in this study is voluntary and you may ask any questions before agreeing to participate. If you agree to participate, you will be asked to sign a consent form. However, at any time, you are free to withdraw from the study and if you choose to withdraw, we will not ask you to give any reasons.

We accept participants until we have reached a maximum number. If this number is exceeded, it will not be possible to take part in the focus groups. However, we will send you a copy of the main project publications at the end of the project.

What will happen if I take part?

If you agree to take part in this study you will participate in an online focus group in person, with other stakeholders where you will discuss the possibilities, concerns and possible effects of AI in your country. The focus groups will be held online by using the Zoom Cloud Meeting software, which is specialised in video conferencing and online meetings. If you agree to participate in the study, you will be sent an email with a weblink and instructions on how to join.

Can I withdraw from participation in the study?

At any time before or during the focus group discussion you can choose to withdraw.

How will my interview/focus group data be used?

The focus groups will be designed and analysed by the Global Governance of AI group. The recording of the focus groups may be transcribed by a professional transcription service outside of CCSR. If this happens, the company will delete the recording and transcription after the transcription is approved. All data is anonymized during transcription, so no names of individuals or organisations and/or companies are in the transcripts, project report and/or publications.

On the consent form we will ask you to confirm that you are happy for the AI Global Governance group to use and quote from your interview. Any such use will be anonymous. Information which will identify your organisation will also be kept out of publications.

What will happen to the results of the project?

All the information that we collect during the course of the research will be kept strictly confidential. You will not be identified in any reports or publications and your name and other personal information will be anonymised.

What happens to the focus group data collected during the study?

The focus groups discussion will be transcribed by a designated, approved third-party professional transcription service. We will ensure that there is a signed data processing agreement in place. The audio files will be deleted, once the analysis of the focus groups data is complete. The transcription services will pseudonymize all data during transcription, so no names of individuals or organisations and/or companies are in the transcripts.

As mentioned above, you can withdraw from the study by leaving and we will not ask you to give any reasons. However, you cannot withdraw your data, because - due to the pseudonymisation process used by the transcription services and the fact that all audio recordings will be deleted after transcription - we cannot determine who said what. There are therefore no risks arising from participation.

What about use of the data in future research?

If you agree to participate in this project, the research may be used by other researchers for future research. The anonymized transcript will be kept for five years after the publication of the findings of the study.

Who is funding the research?

This research does not receive funding from an external funding body. Participating researchers conduct this study as part of their research allowance at De Montfort University, which is covered by their salary.

Is the number of participants limited?

We accept participants until we have reached a maximum number. If this number is exceeded, it will not be possible to take part in the focus groups. However, we will send you a copy of the main project publications at the end of the project.

What should I do if I have any concerns or complaints?

If you have any concerns about the project, please speak to one of the researchers, who should acknowledge your concerns within ten (10) working days and give you an indication of how your concern will be addressed. If you remain unhappy or wish to make a formal complaint, please contact Dr Achim Rosemann, achim.rosemann@dmu.ac.uk.

Fair Processing Statement

The information collected will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Research Ethics and Informed Consent

This online focus group study has received ethics approval from De Montfort University's Faculty of CEM research ethics committee. The study is not interested in personal data. The personal data we collect in this survey (your email address) will be required to join the Zoom meeting. They will not be used beyond the requirements of organising the meeting. All further steps (transcription, analysis, possible publication) will be undertaken using de-identified data.

The statements made in the focus groups will be used for the purposes of the project. They may inform the further steps of the project and may be used as anonymised quotes in publications.

You are under no obligation to participate and can withdraw from the focus group at any time. There will be no negative consequences for you arising from a decision not to participate.

There are no anticipated risks arising from your participation in the focus group.

If you have any questions related to this study or any of the questions below please send an email to Dr Achim Rosemann; achim.rosemann@dmu.ac.uk.