Last updated - January 4, 2024
The 3.5 years of the 2020s have been years of technological revolution.
In 2021, it was Metaverse.
2022 was all about blockchain.
And 2023’s ChatGPT craze and excessive mass adoption of AI tools have fueled several case studies.
This only hypothesizes that as we embrace each new year, the use of AI in various industries continues to grow at a rapid pace. From healthcare to finance to education to entertainment, AI has revolutionized the way we live and work.
However, with this great power comes great responsibility.
Jobs that didn’t exist in 2013 are being invented in today’s era. Whether it is the way we work, how we work, or what we work on, even many scientists and tech gurus are raising concerns about what the cost of this future will be.
If it’s creating mass unemployment, is it good for society? What’s the development there?
It’s interesting to ask what role ethics plays in building futuristic and sophisticated AI technologies, and whether AI has any ethics.
As AI becomes more accepted, so does the need for ethics and regulations surrounding its use. In this article, we will explore the current state of ethics and regulations in AI tools, what regulations are in place for AI, ensure how AI remains beneficial to society, and discuss where we may be heading in the future.
Theory of Diffusion of Innovation and the Role of AI
Before we get into the real deal, I’d like to first discuss a concept I learned in my bachelor’s degree in journalism about the diffusion of innovation theory by sociologist EM Rogers. I can’t help but relate it to the pervasiveness of AI technologies.
According to the theory, tech products or any new invention, with enough time, are adopted by society by any means possible.
As per this diagram, innovators are people ideating those technologies. Think of them as risk-takers.
Early adopters are inspired by innovators and want to be in the same league as them. So anything approved by innovators is their jam.
The early majority represents the mass who adopt a new product or technology after a sufficient amount of time has passed. They are not risk-takers like adopters or innovators, but their points of view matter. And this shapes society.
The late majority are skeptics. They will not adapt to any change unless it’s approved by the masses. They are obviously very hesitant to change and want things to be smooth for them without any hiccups. They are ok with adopting technology late. They don’t want to think outside the box because they fear the discomfort that new change brings.
Finally, the laggards are those who are left with no choice but to use the technology. As it is, they are late bloomers; if they don’t use it, they’ll be left behind. Think of them as risk-aversive and resistant to any sort of change.
You might wonder why this matters; well, it does because AI has been around for quite some time; it’s not something that’s shot to the news recently. ChatGPT has been in the making for some years and though it was released in November 2022, it has limited knowledge of events that occurred after September 2021.
Though there are many ways AI has progressed society, it raises some pressing ethical concerns. Let’s look at them:
What are the Ethical Concerns Surrounding AI?
As AI becomes more advanced, there are growing concerns about its potential impact on society. Some of the key ethical concerns surrounding AI include:
- Bias: AI algorithms can be trained on biased data, which can lead to discriminatory outcomes.
- Privacy: AI tools can collect and process vast amounts of personal data, raising concerns about privacy and surveillance.
- Accountability: Who is responsible when an AI system makes a mistake or causes harm?
- Transparency: AI algorithms can be complex and opaque, making it difficult to understand how they arrive at their decisions.
What Regulations are in Place for AI?
Currently, there is no global regulatory framework for AI. However, some countries have taken steps to regulate AI in specific industries.
For example, in the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) sets guidelines for the use of personal data, including by AI systems.
In the United States, various federal agencies have issued guidelines and regulations for specific industries that use AI, such as healthcare and finance.
But as per Stanford University’s 2023 AI Index, 37 AI-related bills were passed as law globally in 2022.
The Future of Ethics and Regulations in AI Tools
An interesting question pops up when I think about the future: As AI develops rapidly, what is the future ethical cost? When I was reading this article on WEF, I could not stop being overwhelmed by the news I’d consumed for 5 months about AI’s role in privacy breaches, widespread misinformation, labor exploitation in 1st and 2nd world countries, and fears about how quickly human jobs may be replaced.
The rules, regulations, principles, algorithms, and guidelines that AI is fed with present a challenge.
As AI gets smarter, here are a few potential concerns:
Self-Regulation
One possible future concern for ethics and regulations in AI is self-regulation by the industry itself. Some companies have already taken steps to establish ethical guidelines for the use of AI, and industry associations have formed to promote best practices.
However, critics argue that self-regulation is unlikely to be effective without government oversight.
National Regulation
Another possible future concern for ethics and regulations in AI is national regulation. Some countries, such as China, have already implemented national AI strategies that include regulatory frameworks.
In the United States, there is growing support for federal regulation of AI, although the specifics of such regulations are still being debated.
The Montreal AI Ethics Institute (MAIEI), an international nonprofit organization working to democratize AI ethics literacy, released in their State of AI Ethics Reports, insights into emergent trends and gaps in AI ethics, the advantages, and the abuse of AI tools.
Global Regulation
A third possible future concern for ethics and regulations in AI is global regulation. Some experts argue that AI is a global issue that requires a global regulatory framework. However, achieving global consensus on AI regulations would be a complex and difficult process.
The World Economic Forum: The Growth Summit held from 02–03 May 2023 convened leading industry, academic, and government experts to explore generative AI systems’ technical, ethical, and societal implications at its. It discussed extensively the future of jobs in the age of AI, sustainability, and deglobalization.
Ethical Guidelines for Application of AI: Ensuring AI Remains Beneficial to Society
The ethical guidelines for the application of AI are principles that outline the moral responsibilities that must be taken into account when developing and using AI. Below are a few pillars that leaders have opined will ensure AI will work for societal benefits.
Transparency
The development and operation of AI systems need to be open and understandable. The algorithms and decision-making processes of AI systems should be transparent to users, regulators, and other stakeholders. This is important to build trust and allow for proper scrutiny of AI systems.
It also includes the responsibility to provide information about the purpose, use, and limitations of the AI system.
Accountability
Individuals and organizations responsible for the development and use of AI systems must lay down clear lines of responsibility so that those involved in the development and deployment of AI systems are accountable for the impact of those systems on society.
It involves the implementation of effective grievance mechanisms and redress procedures.
Fairness
AI systems have to be applied without bias or discrimination. It involves ensuring that the data used to train AI systems is diverse and representative of the populations that the systems will serve.
It includes the responsibility to regularly evaluate and monitor AI systems for potential bias or discrimination.
Safety
The need for appropriate testing and risk assessments should be conducted prior to the deployment of AI systems. This ensures that AI systems are reliable.
AI systems are to be designed with fail-safes and contingency plans to prevent harm in the event of system failure.
Privacy
AI systems should be developed with a mindset to protect personal data and to ensure that AI systems do not infringe on an individual’s right to privacy.
It also includes the need for transparency about how personal data is collected, used, and shared by AI systems.
Responsibility
Those involved in the development and use of AI systems must be aware of the potential impact of those systems on society. Individuals and organizations should consider the broader social and environmental implications of AI systems, and act in the best interests of society.
Implementing Ethical Guidelines for the Application of AI in 2024
Implementing ethical guidelines for the application requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including governments, organizations, and individuals. Below are some of the key steps that can be taken to implement ethical guidelines for AI:
Develop Clear Standards and Regulations
Governments and regulatory bodies should work to develop and enforce clear standards and regulations that govern the development and deployment of AI systems. These standards should include guidelines on transparency, accountability, fairness, safety, privacy, and responsibility.
Nurture Collaboration
By working together, a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, industries, and academia ensure that ethical guidelines for AI are effectively implemented. They can share resources and develop effective strategies for implementing ethical guidelines for AI.
Build Trust
AI has to be accepted but the common threat is about trusting it. Trust can be built by ensuring that AI systems are transparent, accountable, fair, and safe, and respect individuals’ privacy. This can be achieved through regular consultation, public education campaigns, and the establishment of effective grievance mechanisms.
Conduct Ethical Impact Assessments
This is an important step in ensuring that AI is developed and used ethically. Ethical impact assessments involve assessing the potential impact of AI systems on individuals, society, and the environment. This identifies potential risks and opportunities and develops strategies for mitigating negative impacts and maximizing positive impacts.
Promote Diversity and Inclusion
This includes ensuring that the data used to train AI systems is diverse and representative of the populations that the systems will serve without bias or discrimination. It also involves ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in the development and deployment of AI systems.
Prioritizing Ethics and Regulations in AI Tools Is the Way Forward
2023 and 2024 are not the years of AI, but the years of education about AI. These ethical and regulatory challenges posed by AI are becoming more pressing. While there is currently no global regulatory framework for AI, various countries and industries are taking the necessary steps to regulate its use.
Even as per the recently concluded WEF meeting, it was clear that as AI becomes more prevalent, so will the need for ethical and regulatory rules.
And as highlighted above, the diffusion of innovation theory in AI is all about following the innovators and adapting new technologies to our best advantage.
1990s sci-fi movies are no longer fiction. Humans coexisting with machines is what the 2020s will be all about.
