Technology regulation is critical for governments and policymakers. They must think about how they can safeguard the effects of Artificial Intelligence on a social, economic and political scale. Artificial Intelligence is not inherently good or bad, but the way we use it could well be one or the other.
Unfortunately, there has been little attention paid by such governing bodies in regard to the impact of this technology. We’re going to see huge changes to employment, privacy, and arms to name a few. Managing AI incorrectly or not at all, could spell disaster. Handled the right way, with forward planning and proper regulation, AI has the potential to better the future of our societies.
How Big Tech is handling regulation
Elon Musk’s warnings have made headlines in recent months, as he urges the regulation of AI to be proactive rather than reactive. There are fears the latter would be much too late. Whether you’re in the Musk or Zuckerberg camp, it’s undeniable that we need to consider all outcomes for society.
It’s been a year since Amazon, Facebook, Google, IBM, and Microsoft, announced the launch of a non-profit Partnership on AI. Other companies and industry leaders have followed suit in coming together. Highlighting the need for a governing body on AI and ethics.
The CEO of the Allen Institute for AI has put forward that we should adopt an approach to AI, similar to Issac Asimov’s three laws of robotics. Whilst these laws are ambiguous at best for an artificially intelligent being to interpret in a world so much further advanced than 1946, we could use them as a foundation/base to shape three laws of AI. This would have a much more specific adherence to modern laws. Rather than the policing of artificial ‘general’ intelligence, we should regulate how we use AI.
And while there are so many companies out there working on applying AI for good, what happens if things go wrong? There is great demand for a body/ethical board to help govern AI practice and development.
Why it’s important
One example is a rather dystopian study that made the following claim. ‘Deep neural networks are more accurate than humans at detecting sexual orientation from facial images.’ This received a huge backlash from researchers. This sort of facial recognition system if, in the wrong hands, threatens to be misused. It poses a breach of personal privacy, targetting vulnerable individuals.
Facial recognition is also going further in China, as researchers have posited that they can tell if someone is likely to commit a crime. This use of AI is bringing the destructive physiognomy practices of the 19th century (and earlier) into the modern world. Not to mention exacerbating racial bias and stereotyping, with little to no accountability.
Many experts are saying that it’s premature to be putting AI regulations in place. However, it’s important to remember that governments and administrations move at a glacial pace compared to technological progress. We are still not 100% sure of the exact impacts and implications AI will bring to society. So, it is better to be premature. We should lay the groundwork for later policies to take shape or be late to the party and risk unmoderated AI.
