Ethics and AI Fine Print
When it comes to AI, there are a lot of ethical concerns at play.
- How do you protect intellectual property?
- How do you responsibly use AI when completing coursework or research?
- How do you use the tools while protecting sensitive information that follows federal policies like FERPA and HIPPA?
- When do you question the integrity, or bias, of the information you’re getting from an AI tool?
It’s up to each and everyone of us to ask these questions as we adopt AI-enabled tools. As you work towards building up your AI literacy, there are a few fundamental ethical principles that are relevant to AI you should know about.
Ethical AI development demands a commitment to fairness, ensuring that algorithms treat all individuals equitably, irrespective of their background or characteristics. A notable case highlighting the importance of fairness is the controversy around racial bias in facial recognition systems. Studies have shown that these systems often exhibit higher error rates for individuals with darker skin tones, raising concerns about the unjust impacts on specific demographic groups. Addressing these biases is crucial to upholding the ethical principle of fairness and preventing discriminatory outcomes in AI applications.
Transparency in AI involves making the decision-making processes of algorithms understandable and accessible. An illustrative example is the use of AI in credit scoring. Financial institutions often use complex algorithms to assess creditworthiness, but the lack of transparency in these models can lead to individuals being denied loans without understanding the rationale. Ensuring transparency in such systems is essential for building trust and allowing users to comprehend how decisions that significantly impact their lives are made.
The ethical principle of accountability emphasizes that those responsible for the development and deployment of AI systems must be answerable for their outcomes. An exemplary case involves the use of AI in autonomous vehicles. In situations where accidents occur, determining liability becomes challenging, as it may involve the actions of both the AI system and the human driver. Establishing clear lines of accountability is vital to address ethical concerns and ensure that responsible parties are held liable for the consequences of AI-related actions.
Preserving privacy is a critical ethical consideration in AI, particularly in applications that involve sensitive personal data. A pertinent example is the use of AI in smart home devices. While these technologies offer convenience, they often collect vast amounts of personal information, raising concerns about user privacy. Striking a balance between the benefits of AI-enhanced functionalities and safeguarding individuals' privacy is essential to maintain ethical standards in the development and deployment of such technologies.
Fine Print: When it comes to AI, there’s a lot that we still don’t know about these tools. While we’re exploring and learning together, VCU is also governed by Executive Order 30, which guides us to carefully manage how data can be used and where it is stored. We’re also shaping high-level policies and standards to create baselines for data security.
There’s an interesting playground to test ethical theories and really understand where we draw the line, where something’s thinking or intelligent - a soul, even.
Jack Glagola
Philosophy, ‘26
When it comes to AI for the public good, one of the most important contributions that VCU can make is ensuring that students understand the ethical use of these tools.
Andrew Arroyo
Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
