The advent of artificial intelligence has ushered in a new era of unprecedented technological possibilities. From driverless cars to virtual assistants, machines are quickly taking over previously human-run tasks and systems, revolutionizing the way we live our lives.
But with this rapid development comes important ethical questions about how these technologies should be used – both now and in the future.
One of the biggest ethical concerns regarding artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms is the perpetuation of human biases and discrimination.
“But why would a machine do that?”
You’re probably asking that question, and I’ll give you a short answer before we dive deeper into this guide.
AI systems, especially the ones that use machine learning, are only as good as the dataset they’re trained on.
This means that an AI system that is trained to recognize faces is trained majorly on white skin tones will have a hard time recognizing darker skin tones, which can go on to fuel racial discrimination, and so far and so forth.
And now, with programs like ChatGPT, DALL-E, AIPRM, Midjourney, ElevenLabs, and more, we’re pushed by human dignity to ask perilous questions like Will AI take my job? Is AI hurting the economy? Can we slow its progress down to prevent the inevitable?
Like the above example, there are a lot of instances where the ethics of artificial intelligence must be kept in check to ensure that these systems provide fair services to everyone. We’ve talked more about these systems, and the questions you should be asking concerning AI ethics as well as the answers to them, so make sure to stick to the end, and find out more!
Table of Contents
Starting, What Is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence, or AI for short, sounds like some futuristic concept straight out of a sci-fi movie, but in reality, it’s already part of our everyday lives. Simply put, AI refers to machines or software programs that can make independent decisions, mimicking the cognitive capabilities of human beings.
As of now, AI has several subfields, including machine learning, natural language processing, and image recognition. These technologies work together to enable machines to make predictions, recognize and synthesize speech, understand and learn from data, and make decisions in real time.
For a long time now, AI has been used to revolutionize industries like healthcare, education, finance, and more, and only grows infinitely bigger to become more integrated into our lives as we continue to embrace innovation.
How Fast Are AI Systems Progressing?
If I had to sum it up in a few words, I’d say we’re progressing into the AI-dominated world pretty damn fast.
We now live in a world where you can get whole books written in a matter of seconds with AI tools like Jasper and ChatGPT, and I’m not talking about broken, robotic-sounding books. These tools, being trained on a large dataset, allow users to generate content that is engaging, one that hooks the readers.
And AI’s advancement isn’t just limited to written content. Take ElevenLab’s demo video for an example, where their AI algorithm turns Leonardo DiCaprio’s speech into a loophole of voices by various characters, including Donald Trump, Joe Rogan, and more.
The point that I’m making is that, whether you’re up to date on AI or not, you’ll be surprised to know how far-fetched its applications are getting, and this is just the beginning. The real progress is beginning just now, and the only way to stay ahead of AI is to get alongside it.
To give you a rough idea, here are some AI applications that are getting popular these days.
Natural Language Processing
Chatbots and algorithms trained on a large dataset allow users to converse with programs, and get the output they want, with ChatGPT being among the most trending applications in this field of AI, which mixes automation and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
NLP is a field of AI that focuses on understanding human language and communication. So what are some current applications of NLP? Well, chatbots are a big one.
They’re being used by companies to answer customer inquiries and provide support. NLP is also being used to create virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, which can assist with various tasks like setting reminders, playing music, and even ordering groceries.
NLP is also being used in sentiment analysis, which can help businesses understand how people feel about their products or services.
Voice Synthesis
We now live in a world where if you want to create an engaging voiceover on youtube or create an advertisement with an engaging voice, you can do it at the click of a button, without using your voice or hiring a voice artist. And it’s all done using AI technology.
That’s the magic of artificial intelligence (AI) in voice synthesis. AI-powered voice synthesis technology is being used in a wide range of applications, from creating engaging and immersive experiences in gaming and entertainment to improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities to enhancing customer service in call centers.
With advancements in machine learning and natural language processing, we can expect to see even more exciting and innovative uses of AI in voice synthesis in the years to come.
It’s fascinating to think about how technology continues to shape and improve our daily lives, and I’m excited to see where this particular application of AI takes us in the future.
Task Automation
You know that feeling when you’re trying to complete a tedious task, and you keep thinking, “There has to be a better way to do this”? Well, that’s where AI task automation comes in.
It’s the process of using artificial intelligence to handle mundane, repetitive tasks so that humans can focus on more high-level work.
This technology is currently being used in a variety of applications, from customer service chatbots to email filtering and response. It’s not just making things easier for businesses though; AI task automation is also saving time and increasing efficiency for individuals in their personal lives.
For example, there are now AI-assisted personal shopping services that use algorithms to recommend outfits that fit your style and budget. Honestly, the possibilities are pretty endless with this stuff, and it’s exciting to think about how it will continue to evolve and impact our daily lives.
Ethics Of AI – What Should We Be Worried About?
The success of AI technologies was largely noticed, and more quickly commercialized, by the private sector, and the digital world in general.
Automation systems, use of ChatBOTS, using voice synthesis to create more content – These companies incorporated AI into their businesses to automate the menial tasks at hand, while employees can do something more productive for the business.
However, despite the growth of AI, the main concern of ethical AI is based on a lot of myths, misconceptions about its foundation, and concerns about its adoption in both the physical and the online world.
So to clear that up, we’ll iterate over some common ethical concerns of such systems, and find out whether trustworthy AI is a real thing or not.
Will AI Take Over Human Jobs?
With the wave of automation going on for various businesses, people are worried, and in ultimate fear, that AI is going to take over their jobs.
While AI is being used to automate tasks that otherwise require human intelligence, it’s important to know that AI won’t be taking your job anytime soon, and since people are still required to oversee its working.
Viewing AI as not the harbinger of destruction for your jobs, but as an assistant is the most important thing you can do. AI is a tool to increase your productivity, which is why I always say that if you want to secure your job in the ultimate future, learning to work with the applications of artificial intelligence is a necessity.
Super Artificial Intelligence – Can AI Become The Villain?
Sci-fi films have shaped the perception of AI becoming the villain of the world for a lot of people, or that robots will roam the streets, dressed as robocops and chefs, in the next decade. A survey taken by Brookings states that 52% of the US population thinks that robots will perform 80% of human activities in the next 25 years.
However, AI becoming bad requires it to have its consciousness, its thoughts, and its creative process, and as things stand right now, the current level is still narrow or weak AI, and we haven’t been able to tap into AI having general intelligence, let alone AI surpassing human intelligence and taking over human life.
Still, technological partnerships and companies are already well-vested in making sure AI progress follows all ethical standards, with some names in the business being IEEE Global Initiative on Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems, Partnership on AI, and more, making sure that the AI progress follows a strict code that prevents it to go against the laws of human nature.
Bottom Line
As we integrate artificial intelligence into our lives, we must use this technology responsibly. The ethical implications of AI are multifaceted and demand careful consideration.
To ensure that AI aligns with our values, it’s imperative that we, as AI-pioneers in the business, prioritize transparency, diversity, and education. Only with deliberate action can we guarantee that this groundbreaking technology contributes to a fairer and more just world.
To promote the responsible use of AI, we must prioritize transparency, diversity, and education.
By being transparent about AI’s use and limitations, we can build trust with society and mitigate potential harm. A diverse set of perspectives is essential in developing AI that reflects our values and doesn’t reinforce biases.