Generative AI is a rapidly advancing technology with the potential to transform society in unexpected ways. While it offers numerous opportunities, there are also significant ethical and privacy concerns, which must be addressed to ensure that innovation does not outpace accountability. To avoid the irresponsible use of this technology, regulatory guidance must keep pace with new AI applications.
One of the major concerns with generative AI is its ability to create biased outcomes, as its output is influenced by the data used to train it. While this bias is not necessarily negative, it can become an issue when used to make decisions that impact human lives. ChatGPT, for example, may be used in a university literature class as a tool to expand students’ understanding of material, but it should not be used to create a care plan without proper checks and balances.
Low-risk applications of generative AI involve human oversight, while high-risk applications lack human accountability and involve autonomous AI-driven decisions. In cases where the technology is used to simulate human thinking and create new knowledge, legal and ethical concerns arise because it is not designed for these use cases.
While we are currently at a crucial phase in the regulatory process for generative AI, there is no clear answer as we continue to explore this technology. However, there are four steps we can take to minimize immediate risks: being transparent about how AI decisions are made, ensuring the technology is viewed as a tool and not a replacement for human expertise, prioritizing human oversight, and monitoring for the unintended consequences of AI applications.
Overall, we must be prepared for the bold new world that awaits us as AI technology continues to advance. As we continue to replicate human intelligence through machines, there is a growing need to prioritize ethical considerations to ensure that society benefits from this transformation.
