The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more known and recognised for it’s ability to benefit a number of sectors. From financial risk and compliance management, environmental change and energy consumption to healthcare. AI is already being used in various sectors; in the financial services sector, it is helping financial institutions to detect fraud and cybersecurity threats and enables authorities to fight crime more efficiently. However, as already being discussed in the media, AI challenges the future of work and raises some legal and ethical questions.
On the 8th of April 2019, the European Commission published a press release on ethics guidelines for artificial intelligence.
The Commission is taking on a 3-step approach for building trust in artificial intelligence: establishing the key prerequisites, launching a start-up phase for reactions from stakeholders, working on international agreement building for human-centered technology.
The following seven essentials have been outlined for building trustworthy AI.
- Human agency and supervision. AI needs to enable fair societies by supporting fundamental human rights. It should not decrease or in any way limit human autonomy.
- Reliability and safety. The algorithms used must be reliable and be able to deal with errors throughout all the life-cycle of the used systems.
- Privacy and data management. Citizens need to have full control over their own information. The details concerning them should not be used to injure or discriminate.
- Traceability. The transparency of all systems should be confirmed.
- Diversity, non-discrimination and equity. AI systems must estimate human intelligence, abilities, requirements and ensure accessibility.
- Climate and societal wellness. Responsible AI systems should be used for impacting social change positively, by boosting sustainability and ecology.
- Responsibility. Tools and policies must be set in place and ensure AI accountability, responsibility and the end-results.
The Commission focuses on bringing the above approach for ethical Artificial Intelligence globally. With this in mind, the Commission seeks to strengthen collaboration with like-minded partners and continue to play an important role in international discussions.
The great news is that the AI ethics is now (as seen in the media on 28th February 2020) backed by Pope and tech giants. What are the next steps? Assumably, experts will review the assessment lists for the key requirements and build further, based on the feedback and outcome received.
References and further information:
https://www.amazon.com/Superintelligence-Dangers-Strategies-Nick-Bostrom/dp/1501227742
