During this year's Research Days festival, visitors in Bergen and Bodø had the opportunity to explore artificial intelligence in practice. Through a chess-playing robot developed by Sam Urmian, a researcher at SLATE and AI LEARN, the centres sought to encourage engagement and reflection on how humans interact with artificial intelligence. 

The activities were inspired by this year's Research Days theme, 'trust', and raised questions central to AI LEARN's research: How can AI support human learning, and what influences our trust in technology? 

Using Chess to Explore AI and Learning 

The chess robot was developed by Sam Urmian, a researcher at SLATE and AI LEARN at the University of Bergen. The robot combines artificial intelligence with a physical robotic arm and can play chess against human opponents. The robot can also be trained  to play other games and perform simple tasks. 

Through chess, visitors could gain insight into how AI systems observe their surroundings, evaluate possible actions and interact with the physical world. The robot can also teach people how to play chess. 

The demonstration raises broader questions about what we are willing to learn from artificial intelligence. Learning chess from a robot may seem relatively uncontroversial, but how would we feel about using AI as a tutor in subjects such as philosophy or social sciences, where interpretation, critical reflection and different perspectives play a central role? 

“Chess gives us a concrete way to explore how people interact with AI. Visitors can watch the robot make a move, question its decisions and think about when they would trust its advice.” - Sam Urmian

Engaging Students During Research Days in Bergen and Bodø 

On 25 September, AI LEARN participated in Researchers' Night at the VilVite Science Centre in Bergen. Visitors had the opportunity to play chess against the robot and learn more about how artificial intelligence works. 

Through this hands-on demonstration, visitors were able to explore the technology and discuss the opportunities and challenges that arise when AI systems are used to support human learning. 

The chess robot was also presented during Research Days at Stormen Library in Bodø, where visitors could take part in a range of research-related activities covering topics such as technology, health and natural sciences. 

“The younger visitors in Bodø were curious about both the chess and the robotics. They asked whether it could beat Magnus Carlsen, but also suggested ideas for how it could move the pieces. That opened up conversations about the algorithms behind its movements.” - Sam Urmian

Human Responsibility and New Opportunities for Accessing Knowledge 

In Bergen, Stephanie de Smale, a researcher at SLATE and AI LEARN, also participated in the panel discussion 'Ask a Researcher'. The session gave members of the public an opportunity to put questions directly to researchers from different disciplines. 

One question concerned whether artificial intelligence could pose an existential threat to humanity within the next ten years. 

The discussion addressed the importance of human responsibility and control in the development and use of AI. One key point of the discussion was that AI systems do not operate with intentions in the same way humans do. At the same time, the people and organisations developing and using these technologies can exercise considerable power and influence. 

The discussion also highlighted AI's potential to make knowledge more accessible. AI  can help people find relevant resources, explore new perspectives and access information in ways that were previously not possible. 

Trust and Critical Reflection in Our Interactions with AI 

Developing trust in artificial intelligence involves not only understanding what the technology can do, but also recognising its limitations and being able to assess when and how it should be used. AI LEARN works to increase understanding of artificial intelligence and encourage reflection on its role in learning and education. Initiatives such as Urmian's chess robot show how hands-on encounters with AI can provide a starting point for exploring broader questions about trust, knowledge and human responsibility.