Artificial Intelligence

A Brave New World Exploring the Ethics of AI

By Gretchen Philyaw

In the 1970s, Sneaky Pete was the first chess-playing computer, paving the way for IBM’s Deep Blue — the first machine using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to become a Chess Grandmaster. And of course, ultimately, Alpha Zero has transcended all. AI has come a long way from those rudimentary chess matches, and the power of AI mandates a set of ethics be established to guide us into the future.

Machine learning is a common term associated with AI. In simple terms, software developers write algorithms to sort through data. The algorithm has rules on how the data is sorted or analyzed. Based on the algorithm, the machine can make decisions.

These decisions are rulebased and they consider a lot of data the human brain cannot process. Over time, the computer revises earlier decisions based on new data. The advantage of AI is that with more data, decisions get better.

The ethical dilemmas are subtle regarding AI. Algorithms are written to sort data and make decisions. These decisions can determine who gets a bank loan, who gets audited, or who receives a college scholarship based on thousands of applications. There are many more examples of how AI is used.

Bias

The first ethical question is whether the algorithm was biased against race, sex, or any other variable. If so, the outcomes or decisions cannot be used. My vision is that applications using AI will be monitored just like the IRS monitors tax returns. A formal reporting body will review the output of AI logic to validate that there are no biases, and the algorithm rules were followed correctly. This validation will get reported in some official manner.

Security

Security is a no brainer if data used in the AI process is corrupted, hacked, or misused. To ethically use AI, data integrity is paramount. If users of AI cannot secure the data, how can they trust the decision output?

About the Author: Gretchen Philyaw is President of Magenta Technologies LLC, an Atlanta-based industrial automation company and founder of USA Loves Manufacturing, an organization promoting and advocating USA manufacturing and technology.

Privacy

With data, there must be rules about privacy. Consumers need to know when their information is being used in any way. Consent must be given, and any time AI is used to make a decision, consumers or customers need to know how this decision was derived. This privacy agreement cannot be hidden in the fine print.

Algorithm Integrity

The final pillar of the ethics debate is the legitimacy of the algorithm. Testing has to be conducted using real-world data to determine if the algorithm followed the rules set. Humans develop the algorithm. Humans should also be able to verify the algorithm was followed. Outputs cannot be random.

Artificial Intelligence is a powerful tool. Data analytics combined with immense amounts of data pulled into an algorithm designed to make critical decisions will be a big part of the future. International governments will have to work together to make the rules on how AI is harnessed ethically. AI will create fantastic opportunities for those willing to explore the future. ■