With the introduction of the large language model ChatGPT in late 2022, the letters AI has taken the world by storm once again. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by rapid and transformative technological innovations, brings many implications for the inevitable coexistence of humans and machines, and this is undoubtedly an intriguing yet uncertain time for humanity. From academia to corporate environments, artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize aspects of society in ways that have never been imagined, but just as with any other technological advancements, it is also accompanied by numerous ethical issues that will require caution and conscious attention.
A fundamental concern that supersedes any lists outlining unethical applications of AI, however, is the fact that AI, created with the intention to challenge the notion of human intelligence and promote efficient labor, is a product of human biases and societal norms. Technology mirrors the minds of those who design and program it, and artificial intelligence is no exception to this phenomenon. The meanings prescribed by algorithms are not independent of their human counterparts, and implicit biases are what leads to facial recognition softwares that are unable to detect people of color. Machines are programmed to follow orders given to them by lines of code, and to understand repeated patterns of behavior, it is important to revert back to the source.
How, then, can humans make ethical AI? Two solutions are often suggested as an after-the-fact remedy to the dilemma. Either introduce the models to larger, more diverse data sets, patching up potential gaps in the provided information to account for underrepresented perspectives, or have the judicial system create sturdier, more concrete laws that will police AI use and ensure the protection of any victims that arise. The problem lies in that these solutions are not addressing the underlying issue and seek to stick a Band-Aid over these wounds. Change will begin from the recognition that the solution may very well be far from technological. The use and implementation of AI in an already unequal society may exacerbate these inequalities, thus the key to approaching this matter is a bottom-up approach. In order to widen the scope of current inquiries and critically investigate underlying assumptions, inclusive conversations and discussions need to be had, with an intersectional approach.
There is no denying the reality of the current situation: AI is the new normal, and it is here to stay. The age of AI has only just begun. Slowly but surely, the technology will find its way into the everyday lives of us laymen, from simple tasks such as filtering users’ unwanted emails to complex and intricate operations including autonomous vehicles. Within this context, it is imperative that appropriate measures are put in place to ensure the amplification of human voices throughout every step of the digital transition, and only proper communication and collaboration between people from all walks of life – developers, policymakers, philosophers, citizens, and more – will allow ethics and accountability to be at the forefront of the discussion. AI, an invention of flawed human beings, is not immune to the political and societal structures in which it was created to exist, and it is again through the judgment and guidance of human beings that it may find and cultivate its rightful role among humans.