Safe and Ethical AI (SEA) Platform Network · Linking Artificial Intelligence Principles (LAIP)

Regulation and Protection

The regulation of Biodiversity Conservation should be promoted in a variety of ways through the application of AI, including but not limited to the biological monitoring, condition assessment, and scientific intervention to promote animal welfare; the promotion of animal welfare; the monitoring of biodiversity impact factors (e.g. pollution, poaching, deforestation, habitat degradation, climate change, etc.); the monitoring, modeling and forecasting of ecological environments; and the design, analysis and implementation of environmental protection projects.

Principle: Principles on Artificial Intelligence for Biodiversity Conservation, August 25, 2022

Related Principles

Overall Vision

Like human beings, the life of all other living beings on Earth deserves respect. A well maintained biodiversity is essential for a living planet, and is the basis for the survival and development of humanity. Protecting biodiversity contributes to the viability of Earth, and promotes the harmonious coexistence and sustainable development of human beings and nature. From the perspective of global ecology and biodiversity, the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) should shift away from anthropocentrism towards a more ecocentric approach. Human beings and all other living organisms on Earth are common inhabitants of this planet. AI should be used to promote the conservation of biodiversity, to facilitate sufficient habitat for all living organisms, and to ensure that all living organisms have complete ecological functions in the ecosystem in which they live. When using ecosystem services, ethics, public order, and morality should be observed, and living organisms should not be subjected to unnecessary suffering. Endangered organisms with important ecological, scientific, or social value or with close emotional connections with humans should be particularly protected. In order to promote the harmonious development of technology and ecology, especially to promote Biodiversity Conservation, with full considerations of international consensus such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, and the UNESCO Declaration of Ethical Principles in relation to Climate Change, the following principles are proposed for the development and application of AI for Biodiversity Conservation:

Published by International Research Center for AI Ethics and Governance, Instituteof Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences，World Animal Protection Beijing Representative Office and other 7 entities in Principles on Artificial Intelligence for Biodiversity Conservation, August 25, 2022

Education and Training

AI should be applied to promote the education and popularization of knowledge, policies and skills related to Biodiversity Conservation. AI technology should be fully applied to the conservation of biodiversity related knowledge, such as promoting the establishment and application of biodiversity related data and knowledge bases, online encyclopedias, and promoting biodiversity research and protection. AI should be applied to guide the appropriate value of consumption, to automatically monitor and detect behaviors that damage biodiversity, and to adopt appropriate ways to train and guide relevant individuals and organizations.

Cooperation

AI technologies and applications related to Biodiversity Conservation should be promoted. AI should be used to promote global sharing of the value of biodiversity, especially through appropriate means to promote the adoption of AI enabled Biodiversity Conservation infrastructure in low and middle income countries. AI should be used to promote international cooperation on Biodiversity Conservation, to establish cooperation platforms on regulating wildlife trade, protecting wildlife migration, and establishing germplasm banks, to share related data and technology, and to share the benefits of Biodiversity Conservation.

· For human and ecology good

AI technology and its applications should not only serve for the development of human society, but should contribute to the symbiosis of humankind, ecological systems and the environment. Hence they should also generally be beneficial to the control of climate change and the improvement of the ecological environment, and should be used as an enabling technology to support the realization of the overall goals of global climate action and the climate agenda, and contribute to the realization of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.

Published by International Research Center for AI Ethics and Governance, Instituteof Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and other 10 entities in Principles on AI for Climate Action, April 26, 2022

· Environment and ecosystem flourishing

17. Environmental and ecosystem flourishing should be recognized, protected and promoted through the life cycle of AI systems. Furthermore, environment and ecosystems are the existential necessity for humanity and other living beings to be able to enjoy the benefits of advances in AI. 18. All actors involved in the life cycle of AI systems must comply with applicable international law and domestic legislation, standards and practices, such as precaution, designed for environmental and ecosystem protection and restoration, and sustainable development. They should reduce the environmental impact of AI systems, including but not limited to its carbon footprint, to ensure the minimization of climate change and environmental risk factors, and prevent the unsustainable exploitation, use and transformation of natural resources contributing to the deterioration of the environment and the degradation of ecosystems.

Published by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in The Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, Nov 24, 2021