The introduction of ChatGPT-4, a chatbot developed by OpenAI and composed of an AI system and a chat interface, has generated a great deal of excitement among the public as well as trepidation from leading technology companies, such as Tesla and Space X, who asked for a six month pause by all AI labs in a recent letter. Their plea was issued in alarm that “AI systems with human-competitive intelligence can pose profound risks to society and humanity.” Elon Musk emphasized the potential threat of using this technology, suggesting it could be used to propagate propaganda and lies which could threaten democracy and civilization.
OpenAI is a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence research laboratory focusing on creating beneficial AI. This project was led by Greg Brockman and Sam Altman, the former CEO of the company and the previous President of Y Combinator respectively. Along with them, the project comprises an extensive list of engineers, developers, and computer scientists who have invested their knowledge and experience in the field of AI.
ChatGPT-4 has been designed to learn language through unsupervised learning and has been optimized to generate natural and coherent language responses in a chat context. However, as technology advances faster than laws and regulations, it is up to us as individuals to tackle the moral and ethical implications of this type of AI. We must not forget that, with every advancement, there are clear advantages as well as risks.
One of the underlying implications of using this technology is related to gender inequality, as the UNESCO report “Artificial Intelligence and Gender Equality” suggested. This report highlighted the stark gender imbalances in digital skills and noted the gender imbalance in the technical teams which develop modern technologies. The report emphasized that AI devices, data sets and algorithms are inherently biased, which have an adverse impact on half of the world’s population: women and girls.
We must also take into account the effects of other technologies that have also impacted our lives. As an example, telemedicine has been dynamically improved in order to reach underserved regions, but the lack of human interaction and visual cues, such as during a medical visit, has been detrimental to female users. Electronic Health Records, while they have provided more seamless care, have led to a higher rate of burnout in female clinicians.
Furthermore, virtual meetings, social media, as well as other technological advancements, have set up an opportunity for cyberbullying, stalking and misinformation, making it more difficult for women and girls, as well as non-binary individuals, to access these technologies.
To combat these issues, UNESCO suggests that civil society organizations develop AI principles and guidelines which are gender-inclusive in order to break down the existing digital divide. Together, we can create a world where everyone enjoys the benefits that come with modern technology.
Saralyn Mark, MD, is the founder of SolaMed Solutions, LLC, host of the “Always Searching” podcast and founder of iGIANT (Impact of Gender/Sex on Innovation and Novel Technologies). She is the American Medical Women’s Association’s COVID-19 lead and a former senior medical and policy advisor to the White House, the Department of Health and Human Services and NASA.
Dr. Mark is an accomplished physician, executive and advocate committed to empowering a better and healthier world through the meaningful use of technology. She is an inspiring speaker on the topics of Women in Technology, Innovation, and Gender Equality, advocating for the full participation of women within the scope of Artificial Intelligence, medical technology, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
It is of utmost importance for us to be aware of the effects of the technology we use, including ChatGPT-4, and remain vigilant when it comes to the potential implications on society, particularly when it comes to balancing out gender inequality. We must work together to ensure that our use of technology brings positive changes and well-being to humanity and not the alternative.
