Navigating the AI Ethics Matrix

What is the definition of ethics in the context of technology?

In the context of technology, ethics is defined as the practice of behaving in a moral and principled manner. This involves considering a set of values and principles when making decisions, especially in business settings. Ethical practices in business require balancing profit motives with broader responsibilities to society. You can think of ethics as an "invisible umpire" that guides professional and personal actions, ensuring that you adhere to moral standards.

What do the terms ‘GenAI’, ‘LLM’ and ‘hallucination’ mean?

Understanding key AI terminology is important to understanding new emerging technology.
The term Generative AI, or GenAI, refers to AI systems trained on existing data to generate new examples. A Large Language Model, or LLM, is a specific type of Generative AI focused on written language. LLMs are trained on vast amounts of text data, including digitized books and internet content. In AI, a hallucination refers to instances where AI generates content that doesn't exist in reality or is factually incorrect. This underscores the importance of verifying AI-generated content.

What is an example that illustrates the ethical challenges of AI technology?

A notable example illustrating the ethical challenges of AI technology was a tool Amazon built to help with hiring. The AI tool was designed to rate job candidates for technical roles. However, it was trained on a dataset of resumes submitted over a decade, predominantly from men. As a result, the AI developed a bias against women, leading to discriminatory hiring practices. Despite attempts to fix the bias, the program was deemed unfixable and was ultimately scrapped. This case underscores the ethical challenge of ensuring that AI systems do not perpetuate existing biases and the critical role of human oversight in mitigating such issues.

What are some ways to navigate new technology ethically?

To help you navigate new technology ethically, cultivate greater personal awareness. Reflect on the technology you use daily and consider the ethical practices of the companies behind these technologies. Always question whose ethics are being reflected and if they align with yours. Also, when using AI tools, especially chatbots, validate the information they provide. Consider the risks of relying on potentially biased or incorrect AI-generated content and seek ways to verify the data.

Why is understanding ethics important for your career?
 
Understanding ethics is crucial for future-proofing your career because it equips you to navigate the complex and rapidly evolving landscape of emerging technologies. Ethical awareness will help you make informed decisions throughout your career that align with moral principles and societal values. This can mitigate the risk of perpetuating biases, causing harm, or hurting your reputation. As regulations often lag behind technological advancements, cultivating personal responsibility and ethical judgment becomes essential. By focusing on ethical considerations and developing human-centric skills, you can better adapt to and thrive in a digital environment that increasingly relies on AI and other advanced technologies.