We are all aware that artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly in a large range of industries and because of this, the conversation around AI ethics is becoming increasingly crucial. As Information and Communication Technology (ICT) specialists, we know just how crucial it is that one understands the ethical implications of AI. We discuss this further in our blog below.
The Importance of AI Ethics
1. Trust and Transparency
Transparency in AI refers to the understanding of how AI systems operate and ‘make decisions’. Currently, AI systems operate and ‘make decisions’ that many users can’t seem to understand and that lack of understanding can lead to the erosion of trust. This is where Explainable AI (XAI) comes in. The aim of XAI is to create transparency and increase understanding of AI processes and ‘decision making’.
2. Bias and Fairness
AI algorithms are only as good as the data used to train them and if this data is biased, the AI algorithm will be as well. It is then crucial that practices are put in place that assist in promoting fairness. These practices can include;
- Diverse Data Sets: Use a wide range of diverse data sets to train AI models.
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits to identify and mitigate any bias found in algorithms.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Establish feedback mechanism for users to report any inaccuracies or biases found in AI outputs.
3. Privacy and Data Protection
As mentioned above, AI algorithms rely on the data used to train them which is substantial and often contains a great deal of personal data. This becomes increasingly concerning as regulations around the processing of personal and private data become more stringent. Organizations training AI need to be aware of the data protection rules in the country that they operate in and should consider adopting practices such as;
- Data Minimization: Only collect the data necessary for the task at hand.
- Anonymization: Use techniques that will protect users’ identities and anonymize any personal data.
- User Consent: Ensure that you have clear consent from users to process their personal and private data.
As AI continues to integrate into our daily lives, we need to prioritize ethics in AI. Ensuring that users feel safe and protected in the presence of AI algorithms will increase it’s adoption, rather than increase users’ scepticism.
