ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN AI USE
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a combination of computer science and robust datasets to enable
the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind. The applications of AI
and robots are getting faster and smarter than ever before. The general benefit of AI is that it
replicates the decisions and actions of humans without human shortcomings such as fatigue,
emotion, and limited time. Machines driven by AI technology are able to perform consistent,
repetitive actions without getting tired. It is also easier for companies to get consistent
performance across multiple AI machines than it is across multiple human workers. Companies
incorporate AI into production and service based on processes. AI machines can churn out a
high, consistent level of production without needing a break or taking time off like people in a
manufacturing business. Efficiency would improve the cost basis and earning potential for
many companies. The mobile devices use intuitive voice-activated AI applications to offer users
assistance in completing tasks. AI models human intelligence. AI machines are often
programmed to follow statistical models in making decisions. Humans may struggle with
personal implications and emotions when making similar decisions.
AI is constantly becoming important in people's lives every day. This is because AI is included
in many technologies that people use daily. For example, movie streaming providers
recommend movies that the viewers like, and/or social media can suggest prospective
customers book a trip online from their preferred airport. It is estimated that about 90% of
business establishments want to invest in AI. Thus, AI tools can be used for good or bad deeds.
It is very critical that an ethical framework is in place for the right use even though AI takes on
increasingly sophisticated tasks.
AI is used in many industries including healthcare, travel, customer service, social media,
financial, and transportation. It is imperative to regulate AI despite its growing utilization in many
industries and wide implications for every aspect of the world. The major AI ethical concerns
that need to be taken into account when decisions need to be made about using AI include,
Potential biases
Humans are responsible for programming and training AI to perform complex tasks faster.
Humans are naturally biased on that premise we can reasonably assume that data used in
programming AI can be subject to the bias of its programmers. For example, the data used in
programming AI shows tall people have certain advantages over shorter people, thus AI would
recognize the difference. Although the data used in training AI can be modified it would also be
subject to some form of bias.
AI Replacement of Human Jobs
It is always a presumption that every technological change would translate to humans losing
their jobs. The takeaway is that the loss of jobs assumption has not materialized. Thus, it is
expected that the loss of human jobs to AI applications may not happen. To buttress further,
people feared mass unemployment for bank employees when the utilization of Automatic Teller
Machines (ATMs) commenced in the 1970s. The truth is that bank employees did not lose their
jobs. Banks were able to increase their number of branches and number of cashier positions
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overall. ATMs took care of not pressing tasks that did not require human intervention. AIpowered tools can handle simple, repetitive requests and understand questions in processing to
provide helpful answers.
Privacy
Privacy is a human right according to the Declaration of Human Rights. Privacy is the most AI
ethical concern. It is suspected that its applications can pose a threat to humans privacy. This
is because technologies such as surveillance cameras, smartphones, and the internet have
revolutionized and made it easier to collect personal data. Privacy would become risky when
companies that collect data are not transparent about why the data is collected and how it is
stored. Some smart tools use facial recognition or thumb to unlock those tools. It may be
controversial because the potential concern may be how the technology recognizes and stores
the images. There may be an unethical concern that the images may be accessible by 3rd
parties without consent because they are not monitored and/or secured. There is an inherent
risk that data will be processed and sold to 3rd parties. They would be used for unintended
purposes without proper sanitization of the data. The sharing of personal data with 3rd parties
may result in their data being exposed via cyber-attacks and data breaches entailing people’s
private information can fall into the wrong hands.
Misinformation
AI-powered tools can be used to generate fake news articles in seconds alongside real news
articles. The use of AI to disseminate misinformation is another key ethical concern. Social
media champion the spread of fake news during the 2016 election, elevating Facebook into the
spotlight of ethical AI. AI is also capable of creating false audio recordings as well as mages
and videos where someone in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else.
Humans are not always able to determine what is real or not when AI is used intentionally to
deceive in this way. It puts stress on individuals to distinguish what is real or not.
How does this apply to me in my daily life?
AI is all around us, my car, and my smartphone is all AI-powered, my house is a smart home,
and everything is controlled by AI from my air conditioner, fridge, kitchen equipment, and even
my sprinkler system. While I find this convenient, sometimes it makes me uncomfortable to
know that my car, phone, and Google Home are listening to every sound or word I speak. My
phone even shows me ads of items I spoke about in a conversation with someone unsolicited,
this is a prime example of an invasion of privacy, one of the aspects of AI I am not comfortable
with. In addition, everyone is talking about this new tool called ChatGPT, it’s gotten popular fast.
It can write college essays, children’s books, and poems. If this tool can do all this, how can we
ensure that the work students submit is not done by AI? Will it not encourage students not to
bother to learn? Will there be a cause for concern with the quality of knowledge and skills of
students regarding writing going forward? Will I not be tempted to use it to write my essay
assignments such as this one?
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As rightly pointed out in the video: On The Job: The Ethics of AI, “The question becomes, how
do we ensure that that's something that we're comfortable with, something that we feel good
about, something that reflects the things we care about”. The right way is to educate ourselves
about what AI can do, its challenges, and its limitations. It should be followed with the creation
of ethical guidelines that organizations must adhere to. The awareness approach will curb
biases. The data used in programming AI should be debiased as much as possible and
inclusive. Companies should hire diverse teams to ensure programmers reflect the makeup of
the world’s diverse races. The companies must be transparent in explaining what the collected
data is used for and how it is stored. Customers’ trust would be created when companies are
transparent.
AI has the power and potential to be a force for good for the world. The usage of AI technology
has enhanced the resolution of problems globally. For example, AI tools are currently used to
predict climate effects and provide mitigations. Robotic surgeons can perform or assist in
operations that require more precision than humans can handle. AI-assisted farming technology
is increasing crop yield while decreasing crop yield waste. AI-powered automation is very useful
but unlikely to replace humans. AI-powered virtual agents reduce customer service fees by
30% and AI-powered tools can handle up to 80% of routine tasks and customers’ questions. AI
has become a powerful tool used daily. It is important to observe that all services and devices
use AI to make our life easier and more efficient. The future of AI is realistically one in which
humans and AI-powered tools work together with AI tools handling the simple tasks and humans
focusing on the more complex matters that require human interventions.
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