Press ESC to close

Ethics of AI: Benefits and risks of artificial intelligence

What is Ethical AI, or AI Ethics?

The term “artificial intelligence ethics,” or “AI ethics,” refers to a body of beliefs, methods, and strategies that use generally acknowledged moral norms to direct moral behaviour in the creation and application of AI technology.

In terms of computing power and data use, AI systems are surpassing traditional computers in size and functionality. Their extensive use and accountability extend beyond the PC and Internet periods. However, even seasoned practitioners frequently lack familiarity with deep learning technology due to its intricacy. The maker of AI-generated artwork and possible military surveillance, which might employ AI capabilities to kidnap and murder civilians, are two examples of ethical problems.

AI, automation, and AI ethics

Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are drastically changing society; hence, AI ethics must be applied while developing and implementing intelligent projects and systems in the public sector. 5G technology is accelerating the development of AI and transforming several industries, including healthcare and education. AI systems will develop further, digesting and applying data at faster and more accurate rates as computer power and big data access rise. On the other hand, improper use or badly built AI systems have the potential to permanently damage people and society. For the sake of the general population, AI systems must be accountable and long-lasting.

Ethics regarding artificial intelligence and possible threats posed by AI systems

1. AI systems: Discrimination and bias 

By choosing certain characteristics, metrics, and analytical structures for data mining, AI system designers may be reproducing their own biases. Because of errors in data entry, data samples may not fairly reflect populations, leading to biased results.

2. AI systems: Refusing people’s rights, autonomy, and accountability

Previously completely answerable to human agents, AI systems now make choices and forecast events that have an impact on citizens. People frequently blame AI systems for bad things that happen, however, this is absurd as humans create AI systems, and humans have the power to fix and alter undesirable results like injuries or accountability gaps that compromise rights and autonomy.

3. AI systems: transparent, incomprehensible or unreasonable outcomes

Decision participants may find it difficult to understand the reasoning behind findings produced by machine learning models when they see results with high-dimensional correlations. This lack of explainability might be troublesome in applications that deal with prejudice, discrimination, injustice, or inequality.

4. AI systems: Privacy Risks

The design and development procedures of AI systems entail the processing of large amounts of data, which presents a danger to privacy. The privacy of the data owner is frequently violated since this data is frequently gathered and extracted without their permission. AI systems may be used to target, profile, or prod people lacking their knowledge or agreement. This violates their right to privacy and interferes with their capacity to pursue objectives or plans for their lives without undue influence.

The ethical use of artificial intelligence

According to pioneer Marvin Minsky, artificial intelligence is the study of teaching computers to execute activities that normally require human intelligence. AI-applied ethics have developed as a result of this concept. According to Dr. David Leslie, there is a need for rules of ethics because AI systems cannot be held ethically responsible. These theories seek to bridge the gap between computers’ morally bankrupt behaviour and their intelligent agency. Principles like equity, transparency, sustainability, and openness are meant to close this gap. AI now functions at a level where program-based inventions are the responsibility of humans, underscoring the necessity of ethical concerns in AI ethics.

Conclusion

Accountability is necessary for the design and deployment of AI systems, as these systems may eventually develop into moral beings. Right now, engineers and designers are required to oversee the planning, designing, and development of systems.