Professor Marlene Holmner Presents Keynote Address at UNILISA Conference 2023

Posted on March 14, 2023

Marlene Holmner, associate professor and package coordinator for Information Science, presented a keynote address at the Third University of South Africa Biennial International Conference on Library and Information Science Research in Africa (UNILISA) on 10 March 2023. It was organised and hosted by the Department of Information Science at the University of South Africa (Unisa), in Pretoria, South Africa.

UNILISA strives to provide a forum for scholars from different countries to reflect on original and innovative ways of enhancing the role of information science and libraries and information services in addressing African and global socio-economic developmental issues. The theme of the conference was Information practice and research for development in times of uncertainties.

Professor Holmner’s keynote address was titled Disruptive technologies for the 4IR: Exploring the ethical issues of AI.  The keynote address emphasised the need to think beyond technology itself to address the need for strong ethical principles, the evolution of laws, the importance of training for new skills, and labour market reforms. Professor Holmner also advocated for the need to ensure that advanced and disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), uphold strong ethical principles in its design and use.

Professor Holmner’s keynote address inspired further collaboration, and was described by the audience as being a "stunning" and "excellent" presentation.  

- Author Anika Meyer

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