Title: AI Biases Hamper Animal Welfare Reform and Plant-Based Diets, Warn Animal Protection Groups
In a worrisome trend, animal protection groups have raised concerns about the proliferation of AI systems and its exacerbation of speciesism. They argue that inherent biases within AI technology are undermining efforts for animal welfare reform as well as the transition to plant-based diets. Despite the introduction of regulations like the EU AI Act, the potential impacts of AI on animal welfare have largely been overlooked.
Speciesism, the belief in favoritism towards one’s own species, is considered a form of prejudice similar to sexism and racism. It is an increasingly influential concept in animal ethics, highlighting the need for equal treatment of all living beings, regardless of their species.
Surprisingly, Serbia is the only country that explicitly mentions the effects of AI on animals in its legislation. The Serbian government’s ethical guidelines emphasize that AI systems under development must align with the well-being of humans, animals, and the environment.
While AI systems have contributed positively to animal welfare standards, such as by providing alternatives to animal testing and supporting vegan-friendly initiatives, they also carry inherent biases. According to Mimi Bekhechi from PETA Netherlands, the language we use to describe animals can influence how we perceive and treat them. AI language systems absorb these human-centric biases, perpetuating speciesism. Bekhechi advocates for the use of inclusive and respectful language when referring to animals to counteract these biases.
Dr. Joanna Swabe from Humane Society International-Europe highlights a recent study that showcases how AI systems reinforce biases regarding the value of farm animals. AI systems are at risk of bias because they rely on initial data and algorithms for training. For example, an AI system asked to generate an image of a vegan Christmas dinner still managed to produce a scene featuring a roast turkey, suggesting that the machine had learned the association of holidays with meat consumption.
Governments worldwide have failed to implement regulatory frameworks that adequately address the potential risks associated with AI systems. The highly anticipated EU AI Act, set to take effect in 2026, does not provide specific protection for animals. This oversight troubles Sam Tucker, executive director at Open Paws and CEO at VEG3, who believes that while regulating AI systems based on risk level is a good approach, animals must also be considered.
Tucker expresses concern that animals lack the ability to advocate for their interests, emphasizing that humans must ensure their protection through legislation. A recent paper published by Springer Nature highlights the need for better recognition of the welfare of non-human animals and the harms AI technologies can pose to them.
Despite these challenges, AI systems have also yielded positive outcomes for animal welfare and sustainable food systems. Innovations facilitated by AI, such as organ-on-a-chip technology, have enabled the reduction of animal testing. Furthermore, AI is contributing to the development of high-quality alternative proteins, making plant-based foods more accessible, efficient, tasty, and affordable.
However, biases against certain species still persist in most AI systems. AI systems adopt the biases present in their training data, some of which may contain toxic information. While addressing biases has been acknowledged as a problem, major AI companies have yet to include animals in their ethical guidelines or instruct data workers to consider the impact on animals.
In conclusion, while AI systems have the potential to create positive change in animal welfare standards, their biases and the lack of comprehensive regulation raise concerns. It is crucial for governments and AI companies to recognize the impact of AI systems on animal welfare and implement measures to avoid perpetuating speciesism. By doing so, AI can be harnessed as a force for good in promoting equal treatment and improved well-being for all living beings.
