AI Ethics: Ensuring No Group Is Left Behind

AI Ethics: Ensuring No Group Is Left Behind

Original Article

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to be a powerful tool, but like a chainsaw, you can lob off a leg if you're not paying attention or in the case of AI, lob off a whole segment of society. Or even worse, intentionally excluded from its benefits. In an increasingly digital world where automation is becoming a norm and more jobs are being taken over by AI, vulnerable populations such as the elderly, low-income families, minorities, and people with disabilities are at risk of being left out of opportunities due to their lack of access to and education of, AI technologies.  As such, it is essential for companies leveraging AI technology to consider how their actions might affect these vulnerable populations and take steps toward mitigating any potential harm caused by unequal access. 

What Is AI Ethics and Why Is It Important?

Artificial intelligence ethics is a branch of ethics concerned with the development, use, and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies, such as robots, machine learning algorithms, and autonomous systems. It focuses on the ethical implications of the development and use of these technologies and on the need to ensure that they are developed and used responsibly and ethically. The name itself is a dead giveaway. It can include considering the potential implications of AI technologies on humans, the environment, and society, as well as the implications of using AI for decision-making and governance. Think de-monetizing or removing posts from the socials and look how well that's going. It is important that AI systems are designed, developed, and used in a way that is consistent with ethical principles, such as respect for autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, justice, and fairness. You know, those things that humans can up with, but we don't have a true shared definition of, so we must work together to meet in the middle. We also know how well that's going. Looks like humanity gets another group project to work on.

The Impact of AI on Underserved Communities

One of the main ways AI technologies can negatively impact the elderly is through job displacement. Automation has already begun to take over many jobs that were traditionally held by older generations; this includes some blue-collar jobs in manufacturing or service industry positions like cashiers or waiters which are now rapidly becoming automated. Remember the 1980’s, 90’s or 2000’s? A new study co-authored by an MIT economist Daron Acemoglu, “Unpacking Skill Bias: Automation and New Tasks,” shows the average “displacement” (or job loss) from 1947-1987 was 17% of jobs, while the average “reinstatement” (new opportunities) was 19%. However, from 1987-2016, displacement was 16 percent, while reinstatement was just 10 percent. Uh-oh.

This can result in high levels of unemployment among senior citizens as they may lack access to the skills needed to keep up with changes imposed by automation or simply lack the resources to find other employment opportunities due to age discrimination, not being able to afford the technology needed for today’s job search, or possibly even familiar with the technology and how to utilize it. It’s not like LinkedIn is handing out pamphlets at the retirement home. According to a study by AARP Foundation in 2017, 90% of American adults aged 65 or older lacked basic digital skills necessary for using computers. Additionally, automated customer service systems are often designed around younger people’s preferences while leaving out those who require more time or assistance due to age-related physical or cognitive decline. As a result, seniors may have difficulty navigating digital interfaces and accessing services they need to sustain themselves. 

“I used to be with ‘it’, but then they changed what ‘it’ was. Now what I’m with isn’t ‘it’ anymore and what’s ‘it’ seems weird and scary. It’ll happen to you!

-Abe Simpson

Low-income families are also particularly vulnerable when it comes to AI technology, if you can’t afford access to computers or digital devices, you’re at a significant disadvantage in educational resources or job opportunities.  While automation has allowed certain industries such as manufacturing and retailing to reduce costs while increasing output, it has also created a gap between those who are familiar with tech gadgets and those who aren’t due to economic disadvantages. Again, forget about the even applying for the job part. If you aren’t familiar with the tool or have a material roadblock to research how the tool works, you’re left on the sidelines.  Furthermore, low-income families may receive poorer quality products due to automated algorithms being programmed with biased data sets which prioritize wealthier customers over them; this could include things like online search results favoring luxury items rather than budget-friendly goods resulting in fewer options for lower income households. I mean I said could here, but we all know what’s going on.

Minority groups like African Americans and Latin communities have also been disproportionately affected by AI technologies such as facial recognition software which results in higher false positive rates for darker skin tones than lighter ones. This not only leads minorities being inaccurately identified but it can lead them also facing additional challenges when trying gain access certain services such as banking which rely heavily on biometric authentication systems. AI algorithms designed for predictive policing can also lead police officers targeting certain neighborhoods based on data collected by these systems leading minority communities suffering further hardship at hands law enforcement officials who have been given inaccurate information about an area's crime rate solely based on its racial demographics. …and don’t forget get beat down or killed. That happens. 

Finally, disabled individuals are particularly susceptible when it comes using AI technologies some require special accommodations that automated systems don’t always take into account; this could include voice commands used for virtual assistants not recognizing speech patterns associated with certain disabilities or websites failing properly displaying content when accessed through assistive devices such as screen magnifiers or braille readers resulting disabled users having difficulty navigating digital interfaces entirely shutting them off from using any kind services requiring internet connectivity. Or at a fast-food kiosk with your eyes closed and a mumble. Good Luck.

Civil Action and AI Ethics: A Definition 

Civil action is defined as “policy or behavior intended to promote collective welfare”. In other words, it is an effort by a group of people to take concerted action towards achieving a common goal or purpose. Civil action is an important part of ensuring that no group is left behind when it comes to AI ethics. Civil action can take the form of legal challenges, public campaigns, boycotts, and other forms of protest. Civil action can help to hold companies and other organizations accountable for unethical AI practices and ensure that no group is left behind. In addition, civil action also helps raise awareness amongst members within society regarding the importance of ethical principles when using advanced technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). By engaging individuals from diverse backgrounds within conversations that explore moral dilemmas posed by certain applications of this kind of technology – such as facial recognition software – we can help ensure that any decisions made regarding its usage are based on facts rather than preconceived notions which may be rooted in bias or prejudice against certain societal groups. Furthermore, engaging members from all walk’s life allows us gain insight into how best address any potential issues posed by unequal access so that no group gets left behind during this latest technological evolution.

How Can Companies Help

To ensure equitable access across all demographic sectors, companies must be willing to invest their resources into creating solutions that make AI accessible regardless of socio-economic status. This can involve investing in training programs that teach individuals from marginalized communities how to use various forms of AI technologies such as programming or robotics. Companies can also provide scholarships or other incentives for those who demonstrate interest or aptitude in these fields so that they have equal access when competing for jobs or other opportunities within this field. Additionally, companies should strive towards creating products and services that are affordable regardless of socio-economic level; this could include developing lower-cost versions of consumer tech products that target lower income households or offering discounts on software services like cloud storage so everyone can benefit from them equally regardless of their financial situation.

Another way companies can ensure equitable access is by investing in research initiatives related to bias detection and mitigation within AI systems. Biases within algorithms used by tech giants like Google or Apple can result in certain groups being prioritized over others when it comes to search results or other services based on machine learning techniques; this type of discrimination could lead to many vulnerable populations being left out from accessing services they need due to algorithmic bias against them. By investing resources into researching ways biases can be detected and mitigated within existing algorithms as well as developing new frameworks designed specifically for mitigating bias in machine learning systems going forward, companies can help prevent further marginalization based on race or gender which could otherwise occur due to biased algorithms designed without proper consideration towards ethical implications. 

Finally, one-way companies can ensure equitable access across all demographic sectors is through engaging with local social organizations dedicated towards providing support for disadvantaged groups who may require assistance adapting either technologically or economically due to rapid changes caused by advances in artificial intelligence technologies. Companies should work together with these organizations to provide materials needed such as hardware components (e.g., computers) as well as educational programs tailored towards helping those lacking knowledge about using computers develop skills needed so they too have a chance at participating within this ever-evolving technological landscape without feeling alienated due to their lack of expertise regarding computer-related matters. 

By investing both money and effort into creating solutions targeted towards ensuring equitable access across all demographic sectors regardless of race, gender identity/expression , social class , ability , etc., companies utilizing artificial intelligence technologies will be better able not only avoid leaving certain groups behind but also benefit greatly from having a larger pool diverse skill sets available which could produce more innovative products than what would normally be possible under a homogenous environment devoid of diversity.. In conclusion, when leveraged correctly, a company's resources and capital have the potential not just generate profits but also create positive impacts on society, ensuring nobody gets cut off due advancements made through artificial intelligence technologies.