The Ethical Questions Surrounding AI

POSTED: Jan 18, 2023
What We Need to Consider

Artificial intelligence is the term used to describe any technology that imitates human cognition and behavior, including learning, problem-solving, and decision-making.

It’s a technology that is intended to work similarly to the human mind.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform numerous sectors, improve countless processes, and significantly enhance our daily lives. However, moral issues also need to be resolved, just like with any new technology. We will delve into the top ethical questions surrounding AI in this article.

BIAS

The potential for prejudice is one of the primary ethical issues with AI. Because AI algorithms can only be as good as the data they are trained on, biased data will result in biased AI. Results from this may be unfair and discriminatory, especially for underprivileged communities. For instance, facial recognition software has been discovered to perform less accurately when recognizing people of color, which could have negative effects like unjustified arrests.

If you were to search for an image using the phrase “School Girl”, UNESCO states that you will “ill most probably reveal a page filled with women and girls in all sorts of sexualized costumes. Surprisingly, if you type “School Boy”, results will mostly show ordinary young schoolboys”. Therefore, the organization is taken steps into crafting ethical laws surrounding AI.

ELIMINATION OF JOBS

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The elimination of jobs owing to automation is a further ethical concern. There is a chance that some jobs could become obsolete as AI takes on additional duties, which would cause unemployment and economic turmoil. Although AI has the potential to generate new job opportunities as well, it's crucial to take into account the effects it may have on employees and make sure they have the tools and support they need to adapt to and flourish in a changing labor market.

According to The Harvard Gazette, entire job categories may become obsolete, like toll takers, ride app drivers, paralegals, etc. And we can already see it happening in the food industry, in Fort Worth Texas, where a futuristic location opened exclusively for “grab and go” orders that are delivered by a conveyor belt, which is already affecting employment opportunities.

EVIL USES

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Concerns have also been raised concerning the potential for AI to be employed for evil ends, such as the creation of autonomous weapons or the monitoring of people. It's crucial to consider the ethical implications of how AI is utilized and make sure that the necessary precautions are taken to prevent abuse.

Sentient AI are scaring a lot of people, since we do know that AI is learning from multiple sources. If the sources it is gathering its knowledge are of evil nature, and if the AI is able to feel, with the power it may have, armies of AI machines could subdue humans. I know... I've watched The Clone Wars way too many times.

FINAL THOUGHTS

In the end, there are no simple solutions to the complicated and nuanced ethical issues raised by AI. We may work toward a future in which AI is utilized ethically and responsibly by having continuing conversations and considering the possible effects of its development and use.

AI has the potential to completely change a wide range of sectors, and it has already had a big impact on industries like healthcare, banking, and transportation. And although AI innovations are causing a stir in their respective fields, we believe that the more we learn about it, the faster we will adapt to the “new way” of doing business; after all, AIs cannot function without us.

At least for now….

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