AI has the ability to transform industries, and change the way we work and live, however, it does raise ethical, legal and social concerns. It has the potential to bring about significant benefits to society in numerous areas such as automation, transportation and legal. However, the regulation of its use must address the ethical and social concerns, so we can work towards ensuring that its benefits are realized whilst minimizing the negative consequences. Saving Changes...
Right now, most AI solutions learn based on the data we feed them so if the data is biased, then we get biased outcomes. In the future, once AI tools learn without the need for source data, guardrails (e.g. Asimov's rules of robotics) will be required.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
If you regard the PMI Code of Ethics and the four values it is based on, I do not see that AI is compliant, even recognises those.
Responsibility - AI might damage someone but is not able to pay for it
Respect - AI might be programmed to be polite, but it does not feel respect, and it sometimes shows in the replies
Fairness - with bias in the data, bias and unfairness will be in AI results
Honesty - AI already is deliberately lying, called hallucinations
Legal - laws and regulations regarding AI are in progress in many countries, even some global alignment happens, but it is too scattered, too late and not enough. No silver bullet has been identified. Google AI Ethics Manifesto and see at the plethora of experiments.
So my answer is no for both types of considerations. Saving Changes...
No. AI must be aligned with any regulations and ethical considerations that are valid for the organization. It's just another tool - like a new hammer in the workshop. OK - maybe sophisticated or complex, but still - yet another device. Organizations must comply with the law, regulations, ethics, code of conduct or any other constraint that we have to follow, AI will be as ethical as we are.
All the optics around AI change if you think of it as just another software to use in your organization. The "only" thing that is very important in this case: AI may be a very powerful tool, therefore we must use it responsibly.
Please check recent work towards AI regulations taken by the European Union - there is a good article about it:
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
AI is still in its early stages, just like Bitcoin was and it wasn’t regulated and probably still not fully regulated until now. I believe as AI progresses, and more organizations adopt AI, there will be regulations and measures in place to cover the Legal and Ethical aspects of it. Saving Changes...
First, we have to define what we mean by artificial intelligence (AI); otherwise, it is not possible to start to answer your question. I will use the following definition: “ we are defining AI systems to include data-driven computer systems that incorporate algorithms that learn from data and algorithmic decision-making as the use of computerized systems for autonomous or human decision-making and problem solving.”
Then, since AI systems can solve many problems and be used in many different contexts, you have to define the accountabilities for the AI system developers and the AI system operators (platforms).
AI system developers, including the project team members and project manager, are moral agents because the in-project decisions they make may affect others (whether harmful or beneficial), e.g., data used or eliminated, model rules, etc. Specifically, the systems they develop are artificial agents that should abide by the moral and legal laws of society.
AI system operators (or platforms) must perform due diligence to ensure the appropriateness and quality of the AI systems they deploy and establish governance and product quality accountabilities to avoid harm from the system usage.
Finally, as Thomas Walenta already indicated above, laws and regulations exist at different levels and from different perspectives that should support risks management and provide some controls to determine and asses if moral and legal (i.e., ethical) principles are applied.
I wrote about this topic in the following open source articles.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has indeed emerged as a powerful technology with the potential to revolutionize various industries and reshape our personal and professional lives. The benefits it offers in terms of automation, transportation efficiency, and legal advancements are wide-ranging and significant. However, the use of AI also gives rise to several ethical, legal, and social concerns that must be addressed for its responsible deployment.
One major ethical concern is the potential for AI to replace human jobs and lead to unemployment. As AI systems become more advanced, they can automate tasks that were previously performed by humans, potentially displacing workers. This raises questions about the ethical responsibility to ensure job security and provide alternative employment opportunities for those affected.
Another ethical issue is the potential for AI algorithms to perpetuate biases and discrimination. AI systems are trained on large datasets, which may contain biased or discriminatory information. If this data is not properly handled, AI systems can amplify these biases, leading to unfair outcomes in areas such as hiring, loan approvals, or criminal justice. It is crucial to address these biases to ensure fairness and equality in AI applications.
The legal concerns surrounding AI primarily revolve around liability and accountability. As AI systems become more autonomous and make decisions on their own, determining responsibility in case of accidents, errors, or malicious use becomes complex. Clear legal frameworks should be developed to determine liability and ensure that those who deploy AI systems are held accountable for any harm they may cause.
From a social perspective, the impact of AI on privacy is a significant concern. AI systems often require vast amounts of data to improve their performance, raising concerns about the misuse or unauthorized access of personal information. Safeguards should be implemented to protect user privacy and ensure that data is handled responsibly and transparently.
Moreover, AI has the potential to exacerbate existing social inequalities. Access to AI technology and its benefits may be limited to those with resources or in privileged positions, leaving marginalized communities further behind. Efforts should be made to bridge this digital divide and ensure equitable access to AI benefits.
To effectively harness the benefits of AI while minimizing the negative consequences, regulation should be in place. Ethical guidelines and standards should be established to govern the development, deployment, and use of AI systems. Collaboration between governments, organizations, and experts is essential in developing comprehensive regulations that balance innovation with ethical considerations.
In conclusion, AI has the potential to greatly benefit society in various areas but must be regulated to address the ethical, legal, and social concerns it poses. By carefully considering the potential risks and developing responsible policies, we can ensure that AI is used to its fullest potential while minimizing any adverse effects and promoting a fair and inclusive future. Saving Changes...
Senior Advisor to the CEO| PMISterling, Va, United States
These concerns are top of mind for many, but isn't the question, "How will 'people' comply with ethical and legal norms, given how easy AI makes it not to?"
AI, in its various forms, is just a tool. Kind of like a pen, laptop, computer - or even the internet itself. It doesn't do anything on its own. It just makes a lot of things - bad or good - easier for people to do. There was a time when educators talked about keeping kids away from the Internet because it made it so much easier to find answers and cheat on schoolwork. You heard people say, "I'll never bank online or give a website my credit card number". The same types of risk and ethics questions are being asked all over again with AI. We just have a tendency to humanize AI more - forgetting the 'artificial' part of AI.
In the end, we will find an acceptable balance by weighing the risks and rewards. Likely leaning further and further into the risk as time passes.
Or course, we will have to figure out how the wonderful work that Thomas and many others have done with PMI's ethics standard applies to the "use" of AI on projects - by people. And that will be a fascinating volunteer project. So, I would look at it all as a positive challenge. Saving Changes...
Ashleigh Kennett-SmithICT Project Manager| Australian Red Cross LifebloodAdelaide, South Australia, Australia
This comment is probably an inference from the comments above, but one concern is that people will also try to hide behind the process, the tool i.e. abrogate responsibility. At the moment AI is "only" a tool. In the absence of self-aware "electronic intelligence" that can be held accountable to rules, the owners of the tool or the process using the tool should be ultimately responsible.
...
1 reply by Dave Garrett
Sep 08, 2023 11:02 AM
Dave Garrett
...
So true Ashleigh. I wasn't thinking about it last night, but my response came off a bit like the old saying, "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." These are very true, but the tools in either case can make doing harm much easier.
Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
I am researching and using AI from 1989 to simulate human consciousness to apply it to epigenetics. Now using quantum computing too. First of all, there are lot of misunderstanding relating to AI. Second, people still do not understand that we are "providers for free" of all it is needed to help the use of lot of tools, like AI. Then the first thing is to take consciousness about it and acting in consequence. The power is in our hands. Third, there are from years and mainly today lot of thing people is using daily that could be used for not ethical proposes. Whom like to use this in this way do not need AI, Those people are smart enough to make it simple. Saving Changes...
Community Champion
PMI Team Member
