Artificial intelligence is evolving and it’s our responsibility to influence its growth in ethical ways. Amazing things are on the horizon for AI and the technology we see today is just the beginning.
We are at a pivotal moment in mankind’s history. By embracing AI, and building it in the right ways, the potential benefits it brings us are limitless. This can only happen if we allow it though. And the only way to usher in the benefits of AI, while mitigating risk, is ethically.
We’ve all heard about concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, from the far-fetched scenarios in sci-fi movies to fears reported in media around real-world implications. While some of these anxieties are based in hyperbole, many are based on real world possibilities of the utmost importance to face head-on. The only way to ensure that the future of AI is bright—and ultimately beneficial to mankind—is for all of us within the AI community to accept the responsibility of creating solutions that are transparent, representative, and ethically sound.
While this may seem like a challenge, there are already many existing frameworks available for AI developers to follow. For example, the UNESCO Recommendation of Ethical AI provides excellent direction on how to push technology forward in a manner that protects human rights and fundamental freedoms. Even on a more individual level, those interested in AI can learn how to approach the technology thoughtfully. So many resources are available to help build ethical AI.
Ultimately, artificial intelligence reflects our own humanity. As it continues to grow, we need to commit ourselves to only allowing AI’s outputs to reflect the very best of what humanity has to offer.
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Ethical AI is a Shared Responsibility
We’re in the midst of an AI boom. It’s already everywhere. Autonomous vehicles, custom news feeds, smart speakers, and chatbots are all ways we’ve embraced this technology in our daily lives. Beyond its everyday use, artificial intelligence has huge benefits on a global scale. AI helped fight the COVID-19 pandemic. It detects cancer. It’s saving the bees. AI has already influenced our world and how we work in huge ways. This growth will only continue.
With so many optimistic outcomes from embracing AI, how can anyone refuse to hop onboard?
So when it comes to those of us who are progressing the future of AI, we must put ethics at its forefront. This should be our ultimate focus.
Individuals and brands who are advancing the development of artificial intelligence have a responsibility to do so in ways that will lead to a better future for humanity. As AI reflects humanity’s characteristics, we must strive to bring the best of those characteristics into each AI system we build. Representing humanity fairly, being inclusive, and mitigating biases are critical as this technology evolves.
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Follow Existing Ethical Frameworks
Thankfully for all of us, there are several existing resources to consult if you want to build ethical AI. As previously mentioned, leaders at UNESCO have issued the very first global standard-setting framework on the subject. “The Recommendation of Ethics of Artificial Intelligence” seeks to promote AI’s promise to humanity and reduce its risks. Their guidelines address transparency, accountability, and privacy. The book’s chapters cover AI in data governance, culture, education, healthcare, and all aspects of life and work.
Even if you’re just dipping your toes into the waters of AI, guidance is abundant. Harvard Business Review offers “A Practical Guide to Building Ethical AI.” The World Economic Forum has produced a ton of content that’s focused on how responsible AI presents immense opportunities for humankind. Ethical guidance—from thought leadership to ready-to-use frameworks—are available to guide AI developers when pushing technology forward.
At this moment, much is unknown about artificial intelligence’s future. The only way to make our future positive, hopeful, and optimistic is to craft AI in the right ways. Our future is only as ethical as we allow it to be. Our next steps in AI have huge implications.
We urge those who are committed to working with this technology to do it properly, following available frameworks. If you are building a team of data scientists and AI experts, ensure that it fully represents humanity, being composed of people from various ethnic, national, educational backgrounds, and lived experiences. People of all races and gender identities must be represented within your teams. Ensure models are trained on high quality, non-harmful data.
All of these steps bring humanity’s best aspects to AI, which will in turn, benefit humanity.
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Take the Next Step With Us
AI has so much positive potential to offer us all, if we choose to pursue it in the right ways. It is our responsibility to do so.
At every step of the development process, AI teams and leaders must ask themselves:
- What’s the best way to operate in a world we don’t yet understand?
- How can we build systems that respect human rights and principles?
- How can we equitably enable people and machines to collaborate in new, helpful, mutually beneficial ways?
Pushing technology forward with these questions in mind, and ethics at the heart of it all, is the most realistic, constructive way forward. Shutterstock is proud to have been doing this with all of our AI efforts—from building AI teams of diverse individuals, to compensating contributors, to being transparent about our data’s origins and our strategic partners. We look forward to the rest of the world joining us.
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