Navigating ethics in the dawn of AI | Dr. Catarina Carvalho

From reimagining healthcare to democratising education, the promise of AI has emerged as a trailblazer, offering unprecedented advancements across numerous sectors. Developments like Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have transformed ways of working, driving productivity and efficiency. However, its rapid evolution raises a critical concern: How do we ensure the ethical application of these potent technologies?

AI: Transforming Our Work Landscape

Before understanding its potential issues, it’s important to understand how AI is impacting society day to day. The remarkable rise of AI and, in particular, Large Language Models (LLMs) has ushered in a new era of work.

LLMs can break down complex concepts into more digestible information, essentially democratising access to knowledge. Whether it’s clarifying a scientific theory or simplifying legal jargon, these tools can make information more accessible and comprehensible. This transformative impact indicates a new chapter in human-machine collaboration and great power to change the working landscape.

A Global Call: Ensuring ethical AI and it’s guiding principles

With great power comes great responsibility, but in this case, that responsibility is global, to understand the ethical implications of powerful AI and protect against potential dangers surrounding it.

Action to address ethical implications has already begun. In 2021 UNESCO issued a landmark recommendation that outlines the potential risks posed by unregulated AI systems: the perpetuation of biases, exacerbation of inequalities, and threats to human rights.

A primary concern is that AI will amplify social disparities, resulting in additional harm to already marginalised groups, which is why UNESCO is urging a mindful approach towards its development and deployment.

Therefore, UNESCO has laid out a blueprint of ten guiding principles intended to steer the development and application of AI technologies. These principles are all about maintaining human rights and dignity and reinforce that AI technologies must align with these core values. However, implementing these principles effectively can be challenging with issues like intellectual property protection and a lack of legislation for such technologies present significant obstacles.

The Straitjacket Effect: How will ethics impact innovation

While the ethical principles outlined by UNESCO should guide AI development, it is also worth considering its potential to act as constraint.

The principles could inadvertently stifle the innovation necessary to drive progress in AI by

confining ideation strictly within the bounds of what is deemed “necessary,” dismissing out-of-the-box, forward-thinking ideas. Such constraints, steering us away from unconventional paths, could mean society misses out on breakthrough technologies that have the potential to enhance the quality of life.

The challenge lies in striking a balance: ensuring ethical, responsible AI development without stifling the very creativity and innovation that fuels progress.

The Quality of Life Quandary: Job loss versus enhanced living

Another core concern with the rise of AI and LLMs is the threat to jobs. The reality is that throughout history technological advancement, from the Industrial Revolution to the advent of the Internet, has led to job displacement.

While it’s natural to fear the unknown, it’s crucial to view the change in a different light as historically, society has always adapted to such changes. So, as some jobs become automated, new ones emerge in their place, as seen with the more recent job title of a ‘prompt-engineer,’ a role that did not exist before LLMs.

The key to success here is adaptability and resilience. It’s about retraining and reskilling those whose jobs have been automated and preparing for the new opportunities that the AI era will undoubtedly bring.

What’s more, the surge in productivity could lead to a fundamental shift in work-life balance. For example, efficiency gains could allow people to work fewer hours, devote more time to creative and fulfilling tasks, and enjoy more quality time with loved ones. It’s about harnessing the power of AI to enhance, not diminish, our human experience.

The Road Ahead: AI demands enhanced critical thinking

As a final discussion point within the potential versus pitfalls of AI, it’s important to consider large language models (LLMs) potential to serve as a “single source of truth.” With the expansive information repositories, people might naturally lean on LLMs as final authorities which can bring about unease.

Society has always referenced singular points of truth, whether that’s religious texts, dictionaries, academic authorities, or even leaders. In the information age, platforms like Google often serve as these definitive reference points. However, with the rise of AI, our roles must evolve and the need for critical thinking intensifies. Being able to critically evaluate the wealth of information generated by LLMs, instead of passively accepting it, is a vital skill for thriving in the AI era.

The AI revolution is not a challenge to human ingenuity; it’s an opportunity. It encourages us to be more thoughtful and informed than ever before. Today it’s not just about training machines to think; it’s about honing our own intellectual faculties to adapt, evolve, and prosper.