Given the rapid growth in the practices and technologies related to artificial intelligence (AI), the uses of AI have diversified to include numerous sectors. This expansion has accelerated decision-making processes, making them more efficient and accurate by leveraging AI’s predictive capabilities.
While the swift development in the AI field is exciting, it necessitates a focus on the ethics of AI and the principles that organisations using this technology must consider.
It is crucial to define AI before delving into the fundamental principles of AI systems. AI is defined as a set of technologies that enable a machine or system to understand, learn, act, and feel like humans.
Principle 1: Integrity and Fairness
When designing or developing AI systems, developers must ensure the systems’ integrity and the absence of bias or discrimination that might negatively impact individuals, groups, or categories due to the data or algorithms used, which could lead to discrimination against a specific group.
Principle 2: Privacy and Security
AI systems must be developed with robust security measures that comply with regulatory requirements, including those related to the protection of personal data privacy and relevant cybersecurity standards. This aims to prevent unauthorized access to data and systems, which could cause reputational, psychological, financial, or professional harm.
Principle 3: Accountability and Responsibility
The principle of accountability and responsibility holds designers, developers, and evaluators of AI systems ethically accountable for decisions and actions that could lead to potential risks and negative impacts on individuals and communities. Responsible parties must take necessary preventive measures and establish a risk assessment strategy.
Principle 4: Humanity
The principle of humanity emphasizes the need to build AI systems using fair and ethical policies based on human rights and fundamental cultural values to create a positive impact on stakeholders. AI systems must be designed to avoid deceit, manipulation, or behaviour that does not aim to enhance or enable human skills. Instead, they should adopt a design approach that fosters positive human development.
As part of the United Arab Emirates government’s efforts in the field of AI, a clear vision has been established through the AI strategy. This vision aims for the UAE to become a global leader in AI by 2031.
The Office of the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications has introduced the AI Ethics Document. This document contains guidelines and principles, four of which are discussed in this article.
