ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – ETHICAL STANDARDS AND THE NEED FOR REGULATION

ABSTRACT

The rapid advancement and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various sectors of society have raised numerous concerns and ethical questions. This article delves into the primary apprehensions surrounding AI, including job displacement, ethical dilemmas, data privacy and security, biases, loss of control, misuse of technology, unpredictability of AI behavior, erosion of social bonds, intellectual property issues, and the potential erosion of human intellect. Additionally, it explores potential solutions to these concerns, emphasizing the importance of reskilling, ethical standards, regulatory measures, and transparency. The inevitability of AI integration is discussed, highlighting the need for societal adaptation and acceptance of new realities. The article argues for a balanced approach to leveraging AI's benefits while mitigating its risks through comprehensive and collaborative efforts.

АННОТАЦИЯ

Стремительное развитие и интеграция искусственного интеллекта (ИИ) в различные сферы жизни общества вызвали многочисленные опасения и этические вопросы.

В этой статье рассматриваются основные опасения, связанные с ИИ, включая перемещение рабочих мест, этические дилеммы, конфиденциальность и безопасность данных, предвзятость, потерю контроля, неправильное использование технологий, непредсказуемость поведения ИИ, разрушение социальных связей, проблемы интеллектуальной собственности и потенциальное ослабление человеческого интеллекта. Кроме того, в статье рассматриваются возможные решения этих проблем, подчеркивается важность переквалификации, этических норм, регулятивных мер и прозрачности. Обсуждается неизбежность интеграции ИИ, подчеркивается необходимость адаптации общества и принятия новых реалий. В статье приводится аргумент в пользу сбалансированного подхода к использованию преимуществ ИИ при одновременном снижении его рисков посредством комплексных и совместных усилий.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, AI bias, AI control, technology misuse, AI unpredictability, social erosion, AI regulation, societal adaptation, technological advancement.

Ключевые слова: Искусственный интеллект, предвзятость ИИ, контроль ИИ, злоупотребление технологиями, непредсказуемость ИИ, социальная эрозия, регулирование ИИ, адаптация общества, технологический прогресс.

INTRODUCTION

With the advancement of technology and the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various aspects of life, there are many concerns and questions regarding the ethics, safety, and impact of AI on society. This paper discusses the main concerns people have about AI, supported by quotes from respected sources.

Job Loss

One of the most commonly expressed concerns is the threat of massive job loss due to automation and AI adoption.

A report by the World Economic Forum notes that "about 40% of all working hours could be affected by large language models such as ChatGPT-4"[1]. Similarly, an MIT Technology Review study highlights that "new technologies are changing the types of jobs in demand, and the pace of these changes is alarming"[2]. A survey conducted by Money shows that "65% of workers are concerned about the possibility of losing their jobs to AI"[4].

Ethical issues

Ethical issues related to AI include the risk of making decisions that do not conform to human moral standards. Pope Francis noted in his address that AI can "increase campaigns of disinformation and interference in elections, ultimately increasing the risk of conflict and hindering peace"[3].

Privacy and Security

AI requires large amounts of data, which threatens the privacy and security of personal information. Experts warn that "companies may use personal information for unintended purposes, making people uncomfortable"[2].

Bias and discrimination

AI can inherit and reinforce the biases present in the data on which it is trained. Olga Russakovskaya, a professor of computer science at Princeton, notes that "AI is being developed by people who are themselves biased, which has the effect of reinforcing existing biases and prejudices"[3].

Lack of control

Fears that AI may be beyond human control, especially in military or strategically important systems, are becoming more pressing. An open letter signed by more than 30,000 AI and robotics researchers stresses the need for international regulation of autonomous weapons to prevent a global arms race.

Misuse of the technology

The potential for AI to be used for malicious purposes, such as cyberattacks, fraud, or surveillance, is a serious concern. AI technologies require increased oversight and regulation to prevent their misuse.

Unpredictability of Behavior

The difficulty of predicting and interpreting AI actions can lead to unexpected consequences. This is especially important for systems that can make critical decisions without human input, such as autonomous weapons or traffic control systems.

Erosion of social ties

Increased reliance on AI can lead to reduced human interaction and the erosion of social ties. Studies show that automation can reduce the need for social interactions in the workplace, which can negatively impact the social fabric of society.

Intellectual Property

The question of who owns the results of AI and how to protect them remains unresolved. The development of AI raises new questions about intellectual property rights, particularly in the context of content creation and innovation.

Erosion of human intelligence

There is growing concern that the overuse of AI could lead to a decline in human intelligence and critical thinking. People may lose skills that are no longer needed due to automation, raising concerns about the long-term impact on society.

Ways to Address Concerns

Integrated approaches and international cooperation are needed to address the concerns raised in this article. Here are some suggestions for addressing these concerns:

Reskilling and training. Companies should invest in training and reskilling their employees to prepare them for new AI-related roles. The World Economic Forum highlights the importance of "equipping people with the new skills needed in the AI era."[1]

Ethical standards. Developing and implementing ethical standards and principles for the use of AI can help minimize risks. Pope Francis calls for the creation of an international treaty to regulate the development and use of AI to prevent abuses[3].

Regulation and control. International cooperation to regulate and control the use of AI is needed to prevent its misuse and ensure data security. Experts highlight the need for international efforts to regulate autonomous weapons.

Transparency and inclusivity. Increasing transparency in AI development and ensuring inclusivity in development teams can help minimize bias and discrimination. Professor Olga Russakovskaya emphasizes that "AI is developed by humans, and increasing diversity in teams can help reduce bias"[3].

Objectivity of Concerns: Realities and Examples

Concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) have an objective basis, both in the principles of how AI works and in historical and contemporary examples of its implementation.

The main concerns are related to how AI works.

Machine learning and neural network algorithms are trained on large data sets, which can lead to the reproduction and amplification of existing biases and errors. As Prof. Olga Russakovskaya notes, "AI is developed by people who are themselves biased, which leads to the reinforcement of existing biases and prejudices"[3]. For example, facial recognition systems often show lower accuracy for people with darker skin due to a lack of diversity in the training data.

Contemporary examples support the objectivity of these concerns.

 One of the most prominent cases is Amazon, which was forced to stop using AI to hire employees after it was discovered that the system showed gender bias by favoring men.

Another example is the use of AI in law enforcement. Research has shown that predictive policing algorithms are often biased and can unfairly target certain demographic groups, leading to increased social injustice.

The inevitability of AI adoption

The introduction of artificial intelligence is inevitable, and society must prepare for the necessary changes in consciousness and acceptance of the new reality. The transition to widespread use of AI will require not only technological adaptations, but also cultural and social changes. Rather than resisting potential challenges, society must accept the new reality and rethink many of the fundamental tenets of life.

AI has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life, increase productivity, and create new opportunities for innovation. However, it requires a willingness to change and an understanding that traditional patterns of work and social organization may change. As the MIT Technology Review notes, "New technologies are changing the types of jobs in demand, and the pace of these changes is alarming"[2]. Rather than seeing AI as a threat, it should be seen as a tool that can help humanity reach new heights.

Accepting the new reality also means developing flexibility and adaptability at both the individual and societal levels. This means that education systems must prepare young people for future challenges, and workplaces must be ready to retrain employees. The World Economic Forum emphasizes that "success with generative AI requires as much attention to people and learning as it does to technology"[1].

Ways to gently integrate AI into society

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is inevitable and may lead to significant changes in society. However, there are strategies that can help ease this transition and make it less traumatic for humans.

Education and retraining

One of the keys to successful AI integration is education and retraining.

Companies and governments need to invest in training programs that help workers adapt to new technologies. The World Economic Forum emphasizes the importance of "teaching people the new skills needed in the AI era"[1]. Reskilling workers will enable them to take on new positions related to the management and use of AI, reducing fears of job loss and improving the overall adaptability of society.

Greater awareness and transparency

Society needs to be informed about how AI works and how it will affect their lives. Increasing awareness and transparency in the development and implementation of AI will help people better understand and accept new technologies.

Creating open platforms for discussion and learning will reduce the uncertainty and fear associated with AI. It is important that companies and governments provide access to reliable information about the opportunities and risks of AI.

Ethical standards and regulation

Developing and implementing ethical standards for the use of AI can significantly reduce societal anxiety.

 Adopting international agreements and standards for the development and use of AI will help prevent abuses and ensure fairness. Pope Francis has called for the creation of an international treaty governing the development and use of AI, in order to avoid abuses and increase trust in the technology.

Inclusion and Diversity

Increasing inclusion and diversity in AI development teams will help minimize bias and ensure fairer decisions.

Professor Olga Russakovskaya notes that "AI is developed by humans, and increasing diversity in teams can help reduce bias"[3]. Including different social groups in the AI development process will provide a broader perspective and help create solutions that are inclusive.

Supporting mental health and well-being

The integration of AI can cause stress and anxiety for individuals, especially in relation to potential job loss and changes in the work environment. Supporting the mental health and well-being of workers should be a priority for companies and governments. Creating support, counseling and adjustment programs can help people cope with change and reduce stress levels.

These strategies can help society better accept the inevitable integration of AI, ensuring a smoother transition and maximizing the positive effects of new technologies.

Conclusion

Concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) have objective grounds, as evidenced by current examples and principles of AI technologies.

Systems that learn on large datasets can reproduce and amplify existing biases, as seen in the cases of Amazon and predictive policing algorithms. Such challenges underscore the need for a responsible approach to the development and use of AI.

To successfully integrate AI into society, comprehensive measures must be taken. Reskilling and training workers with the new skills needed in the AI era will help mitigate the negative impact on the labor market. Transparency and increased awareness of AI principles, as well as inclusivity and diversity in development teams, will contribute to fairer and more ethical AI systems.

There is also a need to develop and implement international ethical standards and regulations for the use of AI. Such measures will help minimize abuses and increase public trust in new technologies. Creating open platforms for discussion and learning will reduce the fear and uncertainty associated with AI.

It is important to recognize that the introduction of AI is inevitable and that society needs to prepare for change. Instead of resisting new technologies, we should embrace them and adapt to the new environment.

AI can significantly improve the quality of life, increase productivity and open up new opportunities for innovation. Education, support for mental health and well-being, and flexibility and adaptability will help ease the transition to the new reality and maximize the positive impact of AI.

In this way, a comprehensive and responsible approach to AI integration will enable society not only to meet the challenges, but also to reap the full benefits that new technologies can bring.

References:

1. "The jobs most likely to be lost and created because of AI," World Economic Forum, https://www.weforum.org.
2. "People are worried that AI will take everyone’s jobs. We’ve been here before," MIT Technology Review, https://www.technologyreview.com.
3. "12 Dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI)," Built In, https://builtin.com.
4. "Is AI Coming for Your Job? 2 in 3 Workers Are Worried: Poll," Money, https://money.com.
5. "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work," American Psychological Association, https://www.apa.org.