Call to Action: AIS Grand Vision Challenge

As the premier professional association for individuals and organizations who lead the research, teaching and practice, AIS possesses a unique power within its academic chapters to drive meaningful change. Emerging trends in IT and information systems are transforming lives, communities, and our entire planet. Advances in technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) hold immense promise for organizations and society, offering a world of possibilities and pushing the boundaries of what we thought was achievable. However, the opportunities generated by complex technologies and information systems come hand-in-hand with challenges. Ethical concerns loom large, demanding careful regulation to ensure privacy, fairness, and transparency. Job displacement raises the need for retraining and upskilling programs. Bias and discrimination in AI algorithms must be addressed to foster inclusivity and avoid perpetuating societal biases. Security risks call for robust measures to safeguard AI systems. And ultimately, bridging socioeconomic gaps is crucial to prevent AI from inadvertently exacerbating inequalities. All these challenges endanger the sustainability of organizations and societies.

As a worldwide community, we have a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change and address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the collective action of AIS worldwide communities. The SDGs serve as a roadmap for a more equitable and sustainable future, outlining the urgent areas where we must direct our research and teaching efforts.

AIS chapters in the three regions can be hubs of innovation, where the advances in IT and their impacts on society are thoroughly examined and understood. Moreover, AIS chapters can become instrumental to bridge the gap between theory and practice to make a lasting impact within the geographic reach of their action. They can promote collaboration with policymakers, businesses, nonprofits, and local communities to translate research findings into actionable solutions.

Furthermore, education fosters awareness and responsibility within society, empowering individuals to demand sustainable practices from organizations and encouraging the development of eco-friendly information systems. By integrating sustainability principles into educational curricula, we can cultivate a generation that possesses the capabilities and mindset needed to drive the adoption of information systems that align with sustainability goals, creating a positive impact on the environment and society as a whole.

The AIS Grand Vision Challenge initiative is a call for action for AIS SIGs, Chapters, and Colleges to form a worldwide knowledge network to promote pedagogy and research that utilizes IS to tackle major societal sustainability issues. In this way, chapters transcend the traditional role of being regional repositories of knowledge, evolving into a powerful global force for innovation and sustainability. The AIS Grand Vision Challenge initiative calls the various communities to collaborate and create synergistic environments where research and teaching happen across geographical boundaries and disciplinary domains power to drive positive change on a global scale.

Is your chapter ready to take action? Please send an email with suggestions or questions to Isabel Ramos, AIS VP of Membership and Chapters.