Tiou Clarke | Artificial intelligence and its ethical usage

AI tools have become integral to our teaching and learning experiences for more than a year. Tools such as ChatGPT and Gemina (formerly known as Bard) stand out as the most widely adopted across various industries.

They offer considerable relief to users, particularly for research and text generation tasks.

WHAT IS ETHICS IN AI USAGE?

Ethical AI usage involves employing AI technologies in a manner that honours human rights and dignity. It focuses on developing systems that not only improve user experiences but also uphold values and ethical standards. Essentially, it’s about establishing guidelines that promote the constructive use of these tools, enabling personal development while respecting the rights and well-being of others.

PILLARS OF ETHICAL AI

The use of AI should adhere to several fundamental principles to ensure ethical deployment and operation. These principles include:

• Fairness and transparency: Transparency in AI usage necessitates that systems operate with openness, providing clear explanations of how decisions are made. This fosters trust among users and stakeholders. Fairness ensures that AI systems do not perpetuate biases or discrimination, advocating for equality across all user interactions.

• Accountability and privacy: Developers and companies must take responsibility for their AI systems’ outcomes, ensuring they do not cause harm. Users are also responsible for the outputs generated based on their instructions to the AI. Privacy protection is paramount, requiring that all data handled by AI be safeguarded securely and managed in compliance with stringent laws, ensuring equal privacy rights for all.

WHAT IF AI USAGE IS NOT MONITORED?

Under the Data Protection Act of 2020, companies are obligated to protect the information they gather from individuals. This entails a duty to be transparent about how personal information is processed, stored, who has access to it, and the duration of its storage. Employing AI tools, such as Gemini, to handle sensitive personal data introduces potential risks.

The uncertainty surrounding whether these AI tools might inadvertently collect and transmit information to unauthorised entities, organisations, or even autonomously generate online personas, is a significant concern. For companies, using AI to process data carries inherent risks. Without absolute certainty about the destination and use of the information, companies must rigorously safeguard the data they collect to comply with legal and ethical standards.

AI AND ETHICAL USAGE IN JAMAICA

Jamaica has yet to fully grasp the profound impact AI has on its industries. AI has revolutionised various sectors, including education by altering assessment methods, document processing companies by creating diverse business documents for both personal and professional use, as well as data mining and business analytics. Companies that have embraced customer relationship management systems with AI capabilities are reaping the benefits of enhanced efficiency these systems offer.

Whether acknowledged or not, AI has fundamentally changed business operations. For instance, Microsoft Copilot, a chatbot developed by Microsoft, has been integrated into many companies’ browsers. Copilot can cite sources, search for information online, and interpret data for its users. With many Jamaican companies utilising Microsoft Office as their primary productivity tool, AI is increasingly being leveraged to assist with various tasks, marking a significant shift in how business is conducted.

SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION

AI has revolutionised the way we analyse vast amounts of data, enabling us to derive meaningful insights and inform decision-making processes more efficiently. Companies can now input raw data into AI systems, which meticulously review each piece of information to identify patterns and themes. This advancement spares many from the tedious task of manually sifting through data, freeing up valuable time for other work. However, with the use of AI comes the responsibility of safeguarding the processed data. Here are steps companies can take to protect their data:

Companies should thoroughly examine the data they collect and how it’s managed in accordance with the Data Protection Act and other relevant standards. This assessment will help determine compliance and identify areas for improvement.

Before adopting an AI tool, companies need to research it thoroughly. This includes reviewing available information about the tool’s performance, reading user reviews, investigating the trustworthiness of the developers, and understanding the potential legal implications of using the tool. It’s crucial to consider how the tool’s use might affect the company and its stakeholders, including any legal risks.

It’s important to evaluate whether the AI tool’s use benefits all involved without causing harm. Companies should consider if their actions might inadvertently lead to cyber threats or negatively impact stakeholders. The goal is to ensure that the information needed is obtained ethically and securely.

Finally, companies must analyse whether the advantages of incorporating the AI tool into their operations outweigh the associated costs. This includes considering not just financial aspects but also potential risks to privacy, security, and reputation.

By taking these steps, companies can make informed decisions about using AI tools, ensuring they leverage the technology’s benefits while upholding their responsibility to protect sensitive data.

FUTURE OF AI

AI is a permanent fixture in the technological landscape, placing a responsibility on all users and companies to comprehend its potential impact on their operations. Companies in Jamaica considering AI adoption should explore several critical questions to ensure they make informed decisions:

• Investigate the types of AI being utilised in the industry and gather feedback from current user. Understanding the landscape can guide technological choices.

• Assess the built-in security and privacy features of these AI systems. Determine if additional measures are necessary to protect data and that of the clients.

• Look for case studies of successful AI implementations within the industry. Analysing these can provide valuable insights and help avoid common pitfalls.

• Evaluate the company’s needs and whether the desired AI tool is within reach. Consider if there are necessary resources – financial, temporal, and human – to effectively deploy and manage the system.

• Reflect on whether integrating AI into operations is a sound long-term investment. Will the benefits outweigh the costs over time?

Before incorporating AI into your production processes, thorough research is essential to understand your specific needs and the tools available. Investing in the right AI solution promises long-term benefits.

Tiou Clarke, PhD, is a lecturer in the School of Business Administration at the University of Technology, Jamaica. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com