There is a lot happening in the world of AI. In this short update we explore AI ethics, democratization, and tech updates from the war in Ukraine. For more on the latter, check out our recent piece where we dove into how AI is changing the landscape of warfare and possibly tilting the balance of power to smaller actors.
Let me begin with wise words from Andrew Ng from his recent newsletter:
When developers write software, there’s an economic temptation to focus on serving people who have power: How can one show users of a website who have purchasing power an advertisement that motivates them to click? To build a fairer society, let’s also make sure that our software treats all people well, including the least powerful among us.
Andrew Ng
Yes, Andrew. That is what AI theology is all about: rethinking how we do technology to build a world where all life can flourish.
Next Steps in the Democratization of AI
When we talk about democratization of AI, it is often in the context of spreading AI knowledge and benefits to the margins. However, it also means extending AI beyond the technical divide, enabling those with little technical ability to use AI. Though many AI and data science courses have sprung up in recent years, machine learning continues to be the practice of a few.
Big Tech is trying to change that. New Microsoft and Google tools allow more and more users to train models without code. As machine learning becomes a point-and-click affair, I can only imagine the potential of such developments as well as the danger they bring. The prospect of harnessing insight from millions of spreadsheets is promising. It could boost productivity and help many advance in their careers.
One thing is for certain in AI applications: while coding may be optional, ethical reflection will never be. That is why, here in AI Theology, we are serious about expanding the dialogue to the non-technical masses. A good starting point for anyone seeking to better understand AI technologies is our guide. There you can find just enough information to have a big picture view of AI and its applications.
Trends in AI Ethics
The AI Index report from Stanford University has good news: AI ethics has become a thing! The topic is no longer restricted to academics but is now commonplace among industry-funded research. It is becoming part of mainstream organizations. Along with that, legislation efforts to regulate AI have also increased. Spain, the UK, and the US lead the way.
Furthermore, in the US, the FTC is levying penalties on companies that build models on improperly acquired data. In one of the latest instances, Weight Watchers had to destroy its algorithms developed on this type of data. This represents a massive loss for companies. Developing and deploying these models cost millions of dollars, and algorithm destruction prevents organizations from realizing their benefits.
This is an interesting and encouraging development. The threat of algorithm destruction could lead to more responsible data collection and retention practices. Data governance is a key foundation for ethical AI that no one (except for lawyers, of course) wants to talk about. With that said, ensuring good collection practices is not enough to address inherent bias in existing data.
War in Ukraine
A Zelensky deepfake was caught early, but it will likely not be the last. This is just a taste of what is to come as a war on the ground translates into a war of propaganda and cyber attacks. In the meantime, Russia is experiencing a tech worker exodus which could have severe consequences for the country’s IT sector for years to come.
On the Ukrainian side, thousands continue to join the cyber army as Anonymous (the world’s largest hacking group) officially declared war on Russia. Multinational tech companies are also lining up to hire Ukrainian coders fleeing their homeland. Yet, challenges still remain around work visas as European countries struggle to absorb the heavy influx of refugees.
The war in Ukraine has been a global conflict from the start. Yet, unlike the major wars of the 20th century, the global community is overwhelmingly picking one side and fighting through multiple fronts outside of military action. While this global solidarity with the invaded nation is encouraging, this also raises the prospect of the military combat spilling into other countries.
