When

06 May 2026

11:00 - 13:00 CET

Where

Online and Sala Belvedere, Villa Schifanoia

Via Boccaccio 121 - 50133 Florence

Although AI has become increasingly smart, its wisdom has not kept pace. In this talk, Prof. Igor Grossmann examines what is known about human wisdom and sketch a vision of its AI counterpart.

Although AI has become increasingly smart, its wisdom has not kept pace. In this talk, Prof. Igor Grossmann examines what is known about human wisdom and sketches a vision of its AI counterpart. The presentation analyses human wisdom as a set of strategies for solving intractable problems-those outside the scope of analytic techniques-including both object-level strategies like heuristics [for managing problems] and metacognitive strategies like intellectual humility, perspective-taking, or context-adaptability [for managing object-level strategies].

Grossmann argues that AI systems particularly struggle with metacognition; improved metacognition would lead to AI more robust to novel environments, explainable to users, cooperative with others, and safer in risking fewer misaligned goals with human users. The presentation discusses how wise AI might be benchmarked, trained, and implemented. As discussant Prof. Claire Boine will bring her expertise on the governance of AI, and including the fairness, power, and manipulation of digital systems. 

At the EUI and the Robert Schuman Centre, we are dedicated to removing barriers and providing equal opportunities for everyone. Please indicate your accessibility needs, if any, on the registration form. Alternatively, you can contact the event logistics organiser.

Contact

Mia Saugman

Send an email

Scientific Organiser

Gaby Umbach

European University Institute

Mira Manini Tiwari

European University Institute

Speaker

Igor Grossmann

University of Waterloo

Discussant

Claire Boine

European University Institute

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