Can smart machines outthink us, or are certain elements of human judgement indispensable in deciding some of the most important things in life?”
Michael Sandel, Political Philosopher
What are Artificial Intelligence Ethics Issues?
It is one of the most frequently asked questions as AI advances. As a result, several potential artificial intelligence ethics issues are of concern for various reasons. Some examples of such ethical issues are:
● How AI could harm people
● How AI could manipulate people
● How AI could erode human autonomy
One of the key concerns around AI is that it has the potential to harm people. For example, AI can create fake news articles that only exist to mislead people. AI can also create propaganda videos or images to influence people's opinions. AI can also create fake social media profiles to scam people.
Unemployment and Wealth Inequality
It's not a secret that hard work has become less common in the past few decades, with many people putting their jobs on the line for this new hot trend called automation. It is more than just a fad. Automation is quickly becoming a dominant force in every industry—a surprisingly fast development that's caught many people, including economists, by surprise. The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that up to 400 million jobs could be automated by 2030.
That’s where
artificial intelligence grabs everyone’s attention. With the rapid expansion of AI capabilities, it's clear that robots and algorithms will replace many jobs.
Issues with Machine Ethics & Their Effects on Humanity
With the rise of our new AI overlords, it is essential to remember that machines will always lack the critical features necessary to pose any threat to humanity. That includes empathy, intuition, and common sense.
The emerging stories about how dangerous this technology can be are familiar nowadays. However, these media reports are usually exaggerated for the sake of clicks.
Before long, life without human supervision will be entirely possible. Although this might not seem like our best interest on the surface, it is actually humanity's greatest hope for survival.
The need for humans to work becomes less and less significant while the demand for labor decreases proportionately with the rise of automation.
Problems with Robots
Several ethical issues of robotics can be a concern for various industries. As if the endless onslaught of Hollywood movies about robots going rogue and taking over the world wasn't enough, there are some genuine problems with the
development of artificial intelligence.
Chief among these is the possibility that robots can become so advanced that they could outstrip human intelligence. Some experts even fear that AI could eventually become self-aware and decide that humans are no longer necessary.
There are also concerns that robots could replace human workers in a wide range of industries, leading to mass unemployment. So it's not hard to see why some people might view the development of AI with alarm.
However, it's important to remember that these concerns at this stage are still purely hypothetical. The reality is that the development of AI is still in its infancy, and there are many benefits to be gained from it.
I wouldn’t have a central AI group that has a division that does cars, I would have the car people have a division of people who are really good at AI.”
Jason Furman, Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy and a Former Economic Adviser
Example of Ethical Issues around AI
AI in Law
As AI continues to evolve and become more advanced, governments are starting to notice and have begun making laws surrounding its use. It is mainly in response to the potential for AI to be used for malicious purposes, such as cybercrime or mass surveillance.
For example, the European Union has released a document outlining its plans to govern AI. The first objective of the document is to establish a definition of what constitutes AI and how it differs from existing technologies. Their second objective is to develop a legal framework surrounding liability for their actions.
The United States is also taking steps in this direction, as its Federal Trade Commission has released a report recommending that AI-powered devices be subject to the same consumer protection laws as other devices. This is in response to the increasing number of AI-powered devices on the market, such as voice assistants and home robots.
As AI grows in influence and power, we will likely see more governments introduce laws surrounding its use.
AI in Arts
Think AI and the first thing that comes to your mind is probably cutting-edge technology and science fiction-like robots. But what about its use in the arts? Believe it or not, artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly common tool for artists and art enthusiasts alike.
There are many ways AI is being used in the arts. For example, some artists are using AI to create completely new pieces of art, while others use it to help create and distribute their work. Additionally, AI is being used to analyze and interpret art and to teach people about art history and theory.
However, the use of AI in the arts raises a few questions related to artificial intelligence ethics. For example, how much does the final art rely on human artworks? Who is the real author of a particular artwork? What moral rights does the art reflect? And so on.
Artworks created using AI need new guidelines that offer the proper justice to the work of both the “original” author and the technology/algorithms.
AI in Automobiles
The use of
AI in the automobile industry gave birth to autonomous cars—cars that can move without little or no human interference. They come with numerous sensors to analyze the surroundings and proceed accordingly. The independent driving computer system processes tons of data throughout this operation.
Such cars have to undergo strict training to understand the data they collect and make accurate decisions.
Humans can decide morally in various situations. For example, suppose a human is driving a car. He sees a jaywalker in the middle of the road. He morally decides to slam the brakes to stop the vehicle. In this way, he shifts the risk from a jaywalker to people sitting in the car.
Now consider an autonomous vehicle with a faulty braking system moving at 50 mph towards a mother and her 3-year-old. Even a slight deviation can save one of them. However, the car’s program decides who will get hit or who will be saved.
Being a human would be the most challenging call. This is what the ethical issue of AI in automobiles is.
Solution for Artificial Intelligence Ethics Issues
The questions around artificial intelligence ethics issues are complicated. They need innovative solutions, and those can be controversial. Several initiatives are being taken worldwide to minimize the negative impact of AI. For example, the Institute for Ethics in AI in Munich carries out detailed research related to the use of AI in various sectors.
The following are the best solutions to eliminate artificial intelligence ethics issues:
Developing an Artificial Intelligence Ethics Framework
An ethical framework for data and AI usage can be an excellent solution for AI machine ethics and ethical problems with robots. With a properly maintained governance structure, companies can use the framework to set ethical standards. It also suggests how to incorporate all the primary artificial intelligence ethics.
Promoting Awareness on Artificial Intelligence Ethics Issues
The overall culture of an organization will help avoid artificial intelligence ethics issues. Therefore, companies should develop a culture that promotes awareness of AI ethics, machine learning ethics, problems with robots, etc. This will allow the employees to raise doubts about every aspect of the AI system.
Setting Up A Governance Council Within the Organization to Monitor AI Ethics
Companies should set up a dedicated council for identifying risks and issues related to data,
cybersecurity, privacy, and fairness in AI use. Such committees should include subject matter experts like ethicists (internally or externally) to carry out the following tasks:
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Ensure all the regulatory and legal risks are handled well
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Ensure a stage-by-stage strategy for ethical AI practices.
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Monitor how employees handle ethical issues related to AI
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main artificial intelligence ethics issues?
The following are the major artificial intelligence ethics issues that can take a major toll on any organization in terms of growth, revenue, and efficiency:
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Lack of quality data
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Reduced physical integrity
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Increased unemployment
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Lack of innovation
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Asymmetry in power
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Discrimination, nepotism, and unfairness
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Security issues
What are the main principles of artificial intelligence ethics?
The sole purpose of AI ethics principles should be to promote transparency and fairness within the system. The following are the principles of ethical AI:
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Explainability and transparency
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Easy-to-govern
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accountability
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safety and data security
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Reliability
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Impartiality
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Social and personal well-being
Why are artificial intelligence ethics important?
The ethics of AI systems are crucial for many reasons. First, they offer regulatory and safety guidelines that prevent severe issues for the entire human race. Plus, they are necessary to develop friendly, fair, transparent, unbiased, reliable, accountable, governable, and safe AI systems.