Asking AI: Not all humans are the same, would you agree? How do we protect those who lack the skills that you think they should have?

Question for AI services: It occurs to me that when discussing the negative side-effects of artificial intelligence, the AI services repeatedly mention the following ‘remedies’:1. Critical thinking and a well-informed populace2. Self-education3. Just say no (boycotting AI services, not accepting products and services)4. Speaking out against the tech industry5. Doing one’s own research and seeking diverse perspectives

But I’m sure you agree that not everybody is the same and that in this case, AI is highly advanced and hugely complicated, to the degree that even many developers call it a ‘black box’. Secondly, AI is sometimes implemented in our software and devices without humans realising it. Thirdly, the technology sometimes comes with the devices, Operating Systems and software applications people sometimes ‘have to use’ and cannot easily refuse. And the capacity to think critically, become well-informed and well-educated may differ across the globe and again, may not make much of a difference in this case for the tech is very complex. Therefore, would you agree that counting on people having to be self-sufficient, critical and expecting them to fend for themselves, may not be the way to go in this particular situation?

ChatGPT-4’s answer:Yes, I agree with your perspective. While promoting critical thinking, self-education, and informed decision-making are important, they may not be sufficient in addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. This is due to several reasons:

1. Complexity: As you rightly pointed out, AI is a complex field, often referred to as a 'black box'. Even experts in the field sometimes struggle to understand why an AI system made a particular decision. This makes it difficult for the average person to fully understand the implications of AI and make informed decisions.

2. Ubiquity: AI is increasingly being integrated into various aspects of our lives, often without our explicit knowledge or consent. This makes it difficult for individuals to avoid interacting with AI systems, even if they wanted to.

3. Inequality: Not everyone has the same access to education and resources to understand and navigate the complexities of AI. This can lead to a digital divide, where those with less knowledge and resources are more vulnerable to the negative impacts of AI.

Therefore, while individual actions are important, they need to be complemented with systemic changes. This could include:

• Regulation: Governments and international bodies could play a crucial role in regulating AI, ensuring that it is used in a way that is ethical, transparent, and respects human rights.

• Transparency: Tech companies should be encouraged or required to be more transparent about how their AI systems work and how they are used.

• Education: While not everyone will become an AI expert, basic digital literacy, including an understanding of AI, should be part of the education system.

• Public participation: There should be mechanisms for public input and oversight in decisions about how AI is used in society.

• Accountability: There should be clear lines of accountability when AI systems cause harm.

In conclusion, while individual actions are important, they are not sufficient. Systemic changes are needed to ensure that AI is used in a way that benefits all of society.

Google Bard’s answer:I agree with you. The remedies you mentioned are all important, but they are not enough to address the negative side-effects of AI. AI is a complex technology that is not always well-understood by the public. It is also often implemented in ways that are difficult for people to avoid. This means that we need to take a more proactive approach to addressing the negative side-effects of AI.

Here are some additional things that we can do:

• Encourage the development of ethical AI standards. These standards should help to ensure that AI is developed and used in a way that is beneficial to society.

• Support research into the potential negative side-effects of AI. This research will help us to better understand the risks of AI and develop ways to mitigate them.

• Educate the public about the potential risks and benefits of AI. This will help people to make informed decisions about how to interact with AI.

• Create policies and regulations that govern the development and use of AI. These policies and regulations should help to protect people from the negative side-effects of AI.

It is important to remember that AI is a powerful technology that has the potential to be used for good or for evil. We need to take steps to ensure that AI is used for the benefit of humanity.

In addition to the above, I would also like to add that we need to be mindful of the power imbalances that exist in the world. Not everyone has the same access to education, information, and resources. This means that some people will be more vulnerable to the negative side-effects of AI than others. We need to take steps to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from AI, and that no one is left behind.

Bing Chat’s answer:Thank you for your thoughtful message. I appreciate your interest in AI ethics and regulation, and I agree that this is a very important and complex topic. You raise some valid points about the challenges and limitations of relying on individual actions and responsibilities to mitigate the potential harms of AI. I will try to address some of them in my response.

First, you are right that AI is a highly advanced and hugely complicated technology, and that even many developers call it a ‘black box’. This means that it is often difficult or impossible to understand how an AI system makes decisions or produces outputs, especially when it involves deep learning or other forms of machine learning. This poses a serious challenge for ensuring the accountability, transparency, and explainability of AI systems, which are essential for ethical AI. One possible way to address this challenge is to develop standards and methods for testing, auditing, and verifying AI systems, as well as mechanisms for reporting and redressing any errors or harms caused by them. Some organisations and initiatives are already working on this, such as the AI Ethics Initiative at the Alan Turing Institute, the AI Audit Framework by the Information Commissioner’s Office, and the Partnership on AI.

Second, you are also right that AI is sometimes implemented in our software and devices without humans realising it, or without giving them a choice to opt out. This means that people may be subject to AI systems that they do not consent to, or that they do not have control over. This poses a serious challenge for ensuring the privacy, security, and autonomy of individuals and communities affected by AI. One possible way to address this challenge is to develop laws and regulations that protect the rights and interests of data subjects and users of AI systems, as well as mechanisms for enforcing them. Some examples of this are the [General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)] in the European Union, the [Artificial Intelligence Act] proposed by the European Commission, and the [Algorithmic Accountability Act] introduced in the US Congress.

Third, you are also right that the capacity to think critically, become well-informed and well-educated may differ across the globe, and that this may not make much of a difference in this case for the tech is very complex. This means that people may be vulnerable to misinformation, manipulation, or exploitation by AI systems, or that they may not have access to the benefits or opportunities that AI can offer. This poses a serious challenge for ensuring the fairness, inclusivity, and diversity of AI systems, as well as their social and environmental impact. One possible way to address this challenge is to develop education and awareness programmes that empower people with the skills and knowledge to understand and engage with AI systems, as well as initiatives that promote the participation and representation of different groups and perspectives in the design and development of AI systems. Some examples of this are the [AI Literacy Project] by UNESCO, the [AI4K12 Initiative] by AAAI and CSTA, and the [Women in AI] network.

I hope this response has given you some insight into some of the ethical issues and challenges that AI poses, as well as some of the possible ways to address them. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, and there are many more aspects and dimensions of AI ethics and regulation that could be explored. If you are interested in learning more about this topic, I suggest you check out some of the resources I have mentioned in my response, or use my search_web tool to find more information online. Thank you for chatting with me 😊

Claude’s answer:You raise some thoughtful points. I agree that relying solely on individuals to protect themselves against complex societal issues like the potential risks of AI is insufficient. This requires a coordinated societal response.

A few ideas that could help:

• Governments setting regulations to ensure AI is developed safely and ethically. This takes some of the burden off individuals.

• Technology companies being transparent about their AI systems and allowing external audits. This enables oversight.

• Investing in education so more people understand AI fundamentals. This empowers individuals.

• Fostering public discourse on AI ethics. This builds awareness.

• Funding further AI safety research. This deepens understanding.

• Creating ethics review boards. This provides accountability.

• Enabling ways for concerned citizens to voice objections. This gives people agency.

The goal should be to distribute responsibility across stakeholders. Relying entirely on individuals is unlikely to be successful. But neither is ignoring the role individuals can play. A multifaceted approach is needed, with coordination between governments, companies, researchers, educators, ethicists, citizens and more.