We have completed one year since the rise of generative AI with the launch of Chat GPT. Gen AI’s power is increasing, and companies are using it to automate their daily tasks, better understand user behaviour, create personalized shopping experiences, and quickly close deals.
However, great power also calls for responsible use. As the use of Gen AI has increased, companies must adopt an AI ethics approach to ensure that the technology is productive and safe for use. The ethical use of Gen AI is essential for ensuring sustainable software development and positive outcomes for society.
WistoMagazine explains prevailing ethical challenges and highlights why responsible AI development is essential. But first, let’s understand generative AI.
What is Generative AI?
Generative AI is a hot topic, and Google is full of the query about what generative AI is.
IBM defines generative AI as a class of algorithms related to the models of deep learning. From text and images to an entire dataset, generative AI is capable of producing all types of high-quality content. It all depends on the data type on which a generative AI development company trains the algorithms.
Difficult to understand? Let’s define it in simple words! Generative AI is a type of science that generates new content. The content can be audio, text, music, simulation, image, or anything. The content of Generative AI is similar to the human-created content.
Gen AI developers train the models on extensive datasets. This is how these Gen AI models learn context, style, and pattern to produce new content. The popular examples are OpenAI’s GPT, BERT, CLIP, etc. These systems create fresh and realistic content according to users’ prompts.
The Power of Generative AI
Generative AI is revolutionizing all fields, such as healthcare, transportation, fintech, and art. For example, in the medicine industry, its model helps in drug discovery. The models simulate molecular structures and speed up the development of life-saving medicines.
However, great power also calls for ethical and responsible AI development. The companies must address ethical considerations to ensure that the technology is productive and safe for use.
Challenges in Generative AI Ethics
The following are a few leading challenges in generative AI ethics. Have a look!
Bias and Fairness
Generative AI systems learn from datasets, which can contain unintentional mistakes. This can produce AI models that spread and reinforce existing societal bias. Let’s take an example of a biased language generation model. It may generate content that shows racial, cultural, or gender biases.
A recent study conducted by MIT researchers states that biases in training data can give rise to discriminatory societal bias. This is a big concern. Generative AI development services must ensure that there are no biases in the training data.
Misuse and Deepfakes
The generative AI creates realistic content. It raises concerns about its malicious misuse, particularly the creation of deepfake videos. You would have come across the word ‘deepfakes’ in the news. Deepfakes use AI content to manipulate or fabricate videos. It can have severe consequences. It can propagate false information and damage the reputations of innocent people.
According to Deepfake Statistics, there were more than 95,820+ deepfake videos in 2023. This shows the urgent need for the implementation of ethical AI guidelines and regulations.
Lack of Transparency
People think of Generative AI models as “black boxes.” This makes it daunting for them to understand the technology for decision-making. There is another concern – lack of transparency in AI. It raises questions about accountability and its potential for biased results.
So, to resolve this issue, Explainable AI has emerged. It makes AI systems more transparent and understandable. It allows users to understand the logic behind the AI systems’ results. Every generative AI development company should ensure that it employs transparency models in the development process to build user trust.
Strategies for Ethical Generative AI Development
Leading generative AI development services companies recommend some strategies for ethical AI development. Let’s look at these!
Diverse and Representative Datasets
To mitigate biases in generative AI models: Generative AI developers must use diverse and representative datasets during training. This includes they must address biases in the data actively. With proactiveness, they can mitigate biases in Gen AI models and prevent the propagation of discriminatory results.
In this wake, companies like IBM have led the mitigation efforts. IBM has created more datasets by promoting diversity in the development process. An initiative like this acts as a model for the industry. Companies must ensure that they prioritize responsible AI development.
Ethical Guidelines and Regulations
For ethical AI development, the presence of ethical guidelines and regulations is essential. Without proper SOPs, people likely exploit AI for discriminatory outcomes. Governments and regulation bodies must collaborate to set up rules for generative AI development.
In 2021, the EU proposed the Artificial Intelligence Act. It sets rules for both ethical AI development and its use.
People are using AI across the globe. It is the responsibility of every country to set proper guidelines to promote responsible AI development. In collaboration with industry bodies, they must address concerns related to AI’s misuse and biases.
Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation
The third most important strategy for ethical AI development is continuous monitoring. Ethical considerations should not be only for the development phase. They must extend throughout the generative AI systems.
Companies must have resources that continuously monitor and evaluate AI models. This is how they will identify and address ethical issues, even after AI models are deployed.
A popular global AI company, Open AI is committed to continuous improvement in its AI systems. We all use their AI software. You all would have noticed that it doesn’t promote any type of favoritism. So, this sets an example for responsible AI development.
Conclusion
Generative AI has extraordinary potential to revolutionize the businesses of the world. But we can’t ignore its ethical implications. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to address its ethical challenges. However, developed countries like the U.S.A. and the U.K. understand the power of Gen AI; therefore, they are leading the AI revolution.
In conclusion, what have you learned from this article? Are ethical considerations obstacles or guideposts for responsible AI development? We believe that these ethical considerations are guideposts as they have been educating the Gen AI developers for ethical AI development.
So, as a business, before hiring a generative AI development company, make sure that they follow ethical frameworks and guidelines. Explore their portfolio and see how they have helped businesses and users with their skills.