The development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) raises critical issues that need to be addressed to ensure responsible and ethical use. Transparency and explainability are essential to understanding how AI systems make decisions, while bias and discrimination can have far-reaching consequences if left unchecked. Moreover, the collection and processing of personal data by AI systems require robust privacy and data protection measures to safeguard individual rights. In addition, security and control of AI systems are crucial to prevent misuse and ensure overall security. Finally, effective legislation and ethical frameworks are needed to regulate the development and application of AI, balancing the benefits of AI against the potential risks to individuals and society.
Transparency and Explainability of AI
Transparency and explainability of AI are crucial aspects in the development and use of artificial intelligence. This means that actors must be aware of the fact that AI is being used, how decision-making takes place and what the consequences are. Transparency is important because it can increase individual autonomy by allowing individuals to relate to, for example, an automatically made decision. However, it is also important to remember that services are often made up of many components, some of which can be referred to as AI and are not under the direct control of the organisation providing the service.
Bias and Discrimination in AI
Bias in AI refers to unintended and disproportionate biases that can arise in AI systems. These biases can arise from the data used to train AI systems, the algorithms used to identify patterns and the decisions made based on these patterns. Bias can lead to unfair treatment and discrimination, such as ignoring certain candidates during recruitment or misclassifying women through image recognition systems.
Privacy and Data Protection in AI
Privacy and data protection are essential aspects in the application of AI. It is necessary to determine beforehand whether one can comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This means that privacy risks must be mapped out and the appropriate measures must be taken to protect the data of customers, citizens, or patients for instance. The National Data Protection Authority oversees all types of personal data processing, including AI and algorithms.
Safety and Control of AI Systems
Safety and control of AI systems are crucial aspects when using AI. AI systems can be used for safety purposes, such as detecting accident risks and predicting malfunctions. However, it is also important to ensure the safety and security of AI systems themselves to prevent them from being abused or hacked.
Legislation and Ethics
Legislation and ethics play a crucial role in the use of AI. The AI Act imposes transparency obligations for the use of AI applications, and various ethical codes and principles have been established by industry, science and governments. It is important to balance the benefits of AI with the potential risks to individual privacy and security, among others.