Do you recall a time, not too long ago, when robots were considered fantasy and science fiction? Conversations around this topic generally ended with a promise that computers, and by extension, the technology that would create AI, would one day become a reality.
Well, that time is now, friends! It is commonplace now to talk into your wrist like a spy or secret service agent to send a text message. One can get voice GPS directions or have Siri answer questions. One can even get Alexa to play music and create shopping lists! This is all Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in action.
Welcome to the future, people! But should we be concerned? Is everybody going to lose their jobs? These are common questions as there is growing concern among folk when it comes to the ethics of AI and ML.
Let’s learn some more about this technology and try to answer common questions in a way that is easy to understand.
What’s the difference between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)?
Each of these are used to gather data. ML is an arm, so to speak, of AI. Both aspects gather data that automate once time consuming tasks that were prone to mistakes, to improve efficiency. ML is how social media platforms drive content to you based on what you have searched. If you regularly scroll your social media pages for pictures and videos of cats, that is what you will see on your timeline because you have taught the “machine” what it is you are interested in.
ML finds patterns in manually selected data and then uses that data to help AI solve precise problems.
How will this technology affect our future?
Advances are made using AI in healthcare, customer service and manufacturing allowing those industries to offer superior engagement for professionals and customers.
The question has been asked: Will AI cause jobs to be lost? The answer to this question is muti-faceted. AI will replace repetitive tasks, such as data entry, and it is expected to have an impact on the healthcare industry particularly with regard to medical data analysis.
The downside of this is that there is potential for the dismissal of employees not needed when ML can do the job of one or two people. Ethical questions come to mind about personnel working across those industries regarding the general use of AI.
Is there a universal understanding as to how AI works?
Below are ten ethical questions to consider when it comes to the privacy of any member of the general public in relation to the use of AI.
No, there isn’t, but one should be provided with information about how a particular AI system works and makes decisions to the user by its provider. If that information is not readily available, one should be provided with a guide to help you read and understand AI results. Remember, AI will respond to its user based on the clues/requests given.
- Fairness and Preconceived Ideas: Is this technology fair? Is it biased?
Ensuring that the technology remains unbiased, there must be a process by which discrimination that is determined by race, gender or economic status is prevented. One way of doing this is to pay attention to what data is used to train the system.
- Responsibility: Are the providers of the various AI systems behaving responsibly?
Providers of AI systems must take responsibility for all of their system’s actions, including any negative impacts caused by them.
- Transparency: Are all AI systems (ie: social media platforms) honest about how their system works? Do people understand how their data is being used?
Users of AI must be transparent. One way of doing that is to provide users with as much information as possible with regard to the whole of their system.
Human-centered Design: Are the creators of AI systems considering their users when building AI systems?
All AI systems should be created with potential users in mind. What are their needs? Their wants? This is a very human thing to consider vs. technical capabilities.
- Privacy: Is your privacy guaranteed when using AI?
An ethical artificial intelligence platform will keep your personal data secure so that it is not corrupted or stolen.
- Trustworthiness: Is the platform trustworthy?
AI platforms must build trust with their users. They can do this by being clear about how their system works. If any negative issues arise, the creators of that particular AI will take responsibility for them.
- Safety: Is AI safe to use?
Steps must be taken to help avoid accidents caused by AI systems. This means that the safety and the response of the environment worked in must also be considered.
- Human Oversight: Is there human oversight on AI platforms?
This is a significant need in the field of AI, thus negating the idea AI will take away jobs. Yes, duplicity in the workforce will probably be eliminated, but human beings will still be needed to oversee how AI systems are behaving, are making sure they are doing all they are expected to do and are aligning their decisions with human values, law, company policies, etc.
Long Term Impact: What are the long-term effects of AI systems?
Though no one can tell the future, it is safe to say that the long-term effects of AI systems on society and the planet must also be considered. If there is any potential for a negative impact on society or the environment, then the appropriate steps, whatever they are, must be taken to alleviate any negative impacts.
In conclusion, the field of artificial information is growing at breakneck speed. No one can predict the future, but scientists are hard at work on the next level of AI. It is believed that Quantum Computing Technology, which is a new field combining computer science, physics, and math to solve problems too complex for a classical computer to solve.
The future is bright!
