Module Ethics of AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) represents the existential life issue for this generation. For the sake of precision, we can also refer to Augmented Intelligence as AI. AI Systems are described are as technological systems that resemble or enhance intelligent behavior. AI systems include methodologies such as machine learning, machine reasoning (planning, scheduling, modeling) and cyber physical systems. [1] The analogy to nuclear power in the 20th Century is appropriate. Nuclear power was used for a good purpose to end World War II, but nuclear power represents an ongoing threat to humanity through its potential to annihilate life. AI technology is seen as essential to help us address climate change, healthcare and human suffering, but without maintaining effective human controls on the technology we could inadvertently reach a point of singularity where a computer with generalized artificial intelligence becomes autonomous and eventual subserviates humans [ 2 ] (Bostrom 2014) Even short of this theoretical future catastrophe, humanity faces current threats from how AI is used incidentally or intentionally to manipulate emotions and thinking of society. The intelligent computer programs provide the information fuel for the human brain and thus changes human behavior and experiences. AI technology is also rapidly exacerbating the worldwide disparities in wealth and power. Additionally, neuroethics brings us to the realization that even those who study neuroethics are involuntary participants in neural manipulation. We acknowledge the continuum of social interactions with self-awareness and deliberate efforts to manage neural plasticity. What we choose to choose, ie what we chose to think or do impacts our perception of reality the structure of our brain and shapes the way we experience and process events in time. This is simultaneously a sobering and uplifting realization. We are not as free or autonomous as we thought but we can be freer if we choose. What we think impacts on how we recall and what we do. Yet even neuroscientists often do not recognize the forces they study also apply to them personally.[3] (Brosnan et al., 2013) What we do impacts our experience and the experience of those we encounter. These experiences then impact on what we choose. We cannot escape the experiences that shape our minds, but we can choose from a variety of options for what our experiences will be and how strong they will be. In this section we will address the ethical imperative to manage the fruits of AI that are transforming our world
Managing AI will require limits on accumulation of power similar to limits on nuclear weapons. The limits must be universally applied to: nations, corporations and individuals. The limits must be enforceable, and these limits will require culture change.
At the end of this module, every reader should
- Recognize that they are subject to known and unknown neurocognitive manipulations that impact how they view and act on the world and themselves;
- Consistently and persistently act each day to critically assess information consumed and to exercise critical thought.
- Serve as subject matter ambassadors to family, friends, and public at large on the necessity for healthy information consumption and thinking exercises.
- Support international ethical management of Artificial Intelligence.
Bioethical management of AI is necessary for global justice, human welfare and bio-survivability.
Resources and References Session 1
Anderson M, Anderson SL. How Should AI Be Developed, Validated, and Implemented in Patient Care? AMA J Ethics. 2019 Feb 1;21(2):E125-130.
cscm1-1902_0.pdf (ama-assn.org)
Bali J, Garg R, Bali RT. Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and biomedical research: Why a strong computational/AI bioethics framework is required? Indian J Ophthalmol. 2019 Jan;67(1):3-6.
Felländer-Tsai L. AI ethics, accountability, and sustainability: revisiting the Hippocratic oath. Acta Orthop. 2020 Feb;91(1):1-2.
Meskó B, Görög M. A short guide for medical professionals in the era of artificial intelligence. NPJ Digit Med. 2020 Sep 24;3:126.
Thornton Neuroethics 