AI Ethics Playbook – Navigating the Moral Maze of Artificial Intelligence 

Over the last year, generative AI or artificial intelligence has come to the forefront of business technology as a transformative tool that can improve efficiency, dramatically boost productivity and reduce costs. Open AI’s Chat GPT, Microsoft’s CoPilot, and Google’s Gemini platforms have reshaped the way the world does business, specifically in areas such as marketing, customer service and decision-making.  While new opportunities abound in the use of artificial intelligence, as with any new technology rollout there are ethical questions to consider. From data bias to security risks and from privacy concerns to transparency and accountability, issues can be raised. Let’s examine the ethics questions regarding artificial intelligence in the workplace and how it may impact your business. 

Main Ethical Concerns with AI Use 

In the workplace, AI can be used in many innovative ways. AI can be used in the hiring process to identify resumes that match job descriptions. It can be used in the field of marketing for content creation. The latest AI technology can be used to take a deep dive on data analysis including looking for patterns and making predictions on future trends. It can be used to automate customer service through the use of chatbots and it can improve collaboration and communication between and among workforces, especially those in different locations.  Generative AI is quickly being adopted by workforces from the c-suite level on down in powerful ways. In fact, according to a McKinsey Global Survey “within a year of their debut, one-third of respondents are regularly using generative AI in at least one business function.” Regardless or perhaps due to the rapid evolution and adoption of this technology, AI has been shown to present some ethical dilemmas. 

Data Bias 

Keep in mind that the way generative AI works is by collecting past data on the internet, feeding it through an algorithm and spitting out information in the format of your choosing including content, charts, images, and even music. What’s problematic about this concept is that artificial intelligence is only as good as the data that trains it.  For instance, as of this writing, Open AI’s Chat GPT’s most recent version boasts 100 trillion parameters or variables that make it more likely to give an accurate response. Beyond worrying about how recent the data is that is training the AI tool, users should also be concerned about how objective the data is. A practical example of this ethical dilemma includes the problem of content creation for marketing material that relies heavily on AI data and could potentially draw data and information from a biased source or a skewed study. 

Security Risks 

Generative AI also poses some risks in terms of security. Cybercriminals such as hackers are also well-versed in the use of AI to bypass security measures and exploit vulnerabilities in networks. To mitigate these risks, governments, municipalities, and even individual businesses should develop “best practices” when it comes to the development of these technologies which should include global norms and safeguards against security threats made possible through AI technology.

artificial intelligence

Privacy Concerns 

Since AI works by collecting vast amounts of data, it is possible that the data collection could include personal data that may be sensitive in nature especially when considering businesses in the healthcare field who live by the regulations and compliance standards of HIPAA.  As AI systems become more complex and learn how to register biometric data, where does the line stop between security and surveillance? Businesses will need to create a guardrail for what is acceptable data collection practice and what goes too far.  For instance, in the healthcare field, AI may be used to analyze data that could help in diagnosing patients. Generative AI is currently being used to “analyze medical imaging data, such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, to assist healthcare professionals in accurate and swift diagnoses.” (Los Angeles Pacific University) 

Transparency and Accountability 

Beyond questions of bias, discrimination, and security and privacy issues, AI also raises questions about transparency and accountability.  As AI collects data, creates recommendations for content, diagnoses marketing plans, and makes customer service decisions, who is responsible for the final decisions being made? Going hand-in-hand with this issue is the concept of transparency about the use of AI in crucial workflow situations. Should businesses be upfront about the type and amount of generative AI being used that may impact customers, clients or patients? 

Job Displacement

One area that receives quite a bit of press is the concept that artificial intelligence will be taking the jobs of humans and thus displacing workers. According to a recent Forbes article, The 15 Biggest Risks of AI, “AI-driven automation has the potential to lead to job losses across various industries, particularly for low-skilled workers (although there is evidence that AI and other emerging technologies will create more jobs than it eliminates).” The verdict is currently still out on displacement versus the addition of more jobs due to AI. It is a concern that should continue to be evaluated and examined going forward.  These questions regarding the ethical dilemmas of using AI in small and medium-sized businesses should be a part of the conversation rather than issues that are avoided. Formulating a proactive plan of how to handle privacy and security concerns as well as job displacement, data bias, and transparency and accountability can be dealt with head-on. If you have questions about how your small or medium-sized business can utilize generative AI contact us online, call us at (978) 219-9752, or visit us at Mill 58 on Pulaski Street in Peabody.