The future of artificial intelligence and human rights
The rise of artificial intelligence threatens to shake the
foundations of our society and fundamentally change the way it
functions. AI can involve robotics or just software. It’s a
game-changing technology and is developing fast. AI has the potential to
enhance our way of life, but at the same time, it could be a vehicle
for discrimination, violation of privacy, new types of weapons and other
harm.
It is time to think about an ethical framework that can protect human rights.
On 10 September 2018, the European Commission met with faith-based
organisations to discuss AI, including Baha’i, Buddhist, Catholic and
Protestant representatives, as well as the Quaker Council for European
Affairs (QCEA).
During the meeting, QCEA asked about the regulation of AI to prevent
discrimination on the basis of characteristics such as race, religion,
sexual orientation, and disability. AI operates on algorithms. If human
biases (whether intentional or not) are written into algorithms, this
may compromise the objectivity of computers and reinforce
discrimination.
AI is all about technology that thinks, learns and adapts for itself. What a challenge for regulation!
Another concern is job loss to automated machines. One study
predicted 47% of jobs replaced by AI, whilst a more widely accepted
OECD study
estimated only 9%. Widespread job loss can devastate communities. And
as QCEA said in the meeting, the current momentum of the far-right in
Europe makes the next few years particularly dangerous timing for job
loss.
The reality, as expressed by the European Commission, is that many
jobs will not be completely replaced but become shared tasks between
humans and machines. The meeting heard how this raises questions about
the nature of work in our society and the need for consideration of
universal basic income.
One participant expressed concern about proposals that machines be
given legal personality. The humans that create these machines should
not escape responsibility for the consequences of their actions. In
addition, several faith groups raised concern about the global south (in
particular, Africa) being left behind and not considered in the
development of any global ethical framework.
Other human rights issues involving AI include lethal autonomous
weapons, privacy implications (such as facial recognition software), and
the threat to freedom of expression if governments were to use AI to
police the Internet.
Funding military AI
The
European Defence Fund
(2021-27) is set to exponentially increase EU funding for arms
research, and there is no specific exclusion for lethal autonomous
weapons systems. QCEA called for restrictions on the development of AI
systems that can take a human life without human control. The ethics
committee needs to seriously consider how potential EU funding for the
arms industry might be used for the development of autonomous weapons.
Europe’s positive contribution
The big players in AI, China and the USA, are leaving an ethical gap
that the EU could fill. China has shown little interest in ethical
considerations, and the USA appears disengaged at present. Some have
said that it’s too late for the EU to take a leading position on AI, as
the rest of the world has raced ahead. However, the European Commission
doesn’t agree.
Fast progress on AI has been made in a few specific areas, and Europe
has the advantage of good research labs and promising AI startup
businesses. A European ethical framework on AI would be welcome in some
parts of the world and could become the global standard. For this
reason, for organisations interested in AI, engagement here in Brussels
is a must.
In the absence of global governance, AI is an example of why the
European Union adds value. Countries need to work together to have any
chance of regulating global technological developments.
Next steps for the EU
A high level expert group is developing guidelines for the use of AI
in Europe, guided by a statement produced by the European Group on
Ethics in Science and New Technologies. One of the proposals being
considered is that private sector companies will need to sign up to an
ethics charter. Private companies are said to be positive about ethical
guidelines, but some worry that this could keep the focus away from hard
law and regulation. At present, the European Commission is clear that
it understands the need for both ethics and regulation.
More detailed EU proposals will be developed on the ethics of AI by
December 2018 with a consultation process running until March 2019.
Given the huge potential impact of AI, this must be a public
consultation, but it may be more low-key. However, anyone can join the
EU consultation platform on AI, called the AI Alliance. You can post
questions and see what officials have written.
Europe’s AI moment is now, but it must not forget its best asset – its founding value of protecting human rights.
Isabel Hamilton (American University) and Andrew Lane (QCEA)
Peter Hussey writes:
I contacted Gethin Rhys at CYTUN to find out is any work is being done by churches or faith groups in Wales. His reply:
Thank you Peter. I’m not quite sure how we
might handle this ecumenically, but I’m grateful to you for drawing it
to my attention. If you know of anyone in Wales who might be willing to
help us think
about this, I would be glad to hear of them.
So where are the experts on AI in Wales who might provide, at least, a steer on this?
Giles Cuthbert, managing director at the Chartered Banker Institute. “We
have to be absolutely explicit that the AI itself cannot be held
accountable for its actions. This becomes more complex, of course, when
AI starts to learn, but even then, the ability to learn is programmed.”
Dear MP
The rise of artificial intelligence threatens to shake the foundations of our society and fundamentally change the way it functions. It is time for us to think about an ethical framework that can protect human rights. The new GDPR regulations introduced by the European Union are an excellent start. We need to ensure that these regulations are not diluted, regardless of the outcome of Brexit. But it is insufficient to not dilute them, we should be building on them.
There is a need for regulation of AI to prevent discrimination on the basis of characteristics such as race, religion, sexual orientation, and disability. AI operates on algorithms. If human biases (whether intentional or not) are written into algorithms, this may compromise the objectivity of computers and reinforce discrimination.
Another concern is job loss to automated machines. One study predicted 47% of jobs replaced by AI, whilst a more widely accepted OECD study estimated only 9%. Widespread job loss has already devastated communities. This is a very appropriate time to seriously consider the concept of the basic wage.(universal basic income).
AI will, of course, be mainly taken forward by the arms industry opening an enormous can of worms! Meanwhile some cities, in particular Barcelona and Amsterdam are beginning to explore the possibilities of AI built on a human-centric, ethical policy and regulatory framework with new rules against market dominance of tech platform giants. Uber is monopolising data about transport and movements, Airbnb are garnering huge data about houses, homes and who lives there. Amazon and Facebook simply know everything about everybody. Just about everything produces data, roads, trains and plastic cards to name just a few, and all that data gets sucked up by the major platforms and is the currency that they value most. We need ambitious and structural interventions that will tackle the question of data ownership and who is going to own the AI services built with that data. Fortunately the Labour Party is researching and fleshing out policies to reflect this enormous area of influence.
Yours sincerely
Dear Peter Hussey
No reply so far from my MP, but here is a very helpful response from Eluned Morgan AM.
Thank you for your recent email expressing your concerns about the many uses artificial intelligence is now put to. As you point out this has made a considerable difference to the way we live and work in a relatively short
period of time. Recent well reported incidents suggest that a review
of the way AI is used to gather and to use information would be timely and Welsh Government have already begun to do this.
In
March 2018 the Welsh Government announced it had established a panel to
undertake a ‘Review of Digital Innovation for the Economy and the
Future of Work in Wales’. The review aims to gather further insight on
the challenges and opportunities associated with digital innovation in
the context of the Welsh economy and the future of work. The review is
being chaired by Professor Phil Brown, Distinguished Research Professor
at Cardiff University, and is being supported by a specially convened
Expert Panel.
The
review panel will make final recommendations to the Welsh Government by
March 2019, although the review has the scope to provide ongoing advice
so that new ideas can be tested and learnt from at the earliest
opportunity. An interim report is expected to be published by the end of
November 2018.
The
term ‘digital innovation’ is being used to capture the wide range of
technology advancements – both physical and digital – being made in
automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, internet
of things and large-scale data. I believe the review is still underway
and would welcome contributions. Further information on the review, its
terms of reference and work activities to date, can be accessed online here.
I
hope that you find the information available at this website useful, if
the panel are not addressing all of the issues you are concerned about
they may be able to refer you to other groups who are.
If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me or a member of my team.
Nothing
looked too daunting, though the enthusiasm cooled somewhat when we
looked inside the woodshed! Fortunately, the man with the woodshed plan
was yet to arrive. Tony, with his van and array of power tools, tackled
this job with relish. Malcolm arrived as we were washing up so we were
all present for our first epilogue in the meeting room. Here we met with
a special silence and an atmosphere which was comforting and welcoming.
We entered the room a collection of individuals and left it a
community; the retreat had properly begun.
I
opted to cook breakfast on Sunday with Tony. A feast of egg, beans,
tomatoes and mushrooms which was well-received. We went on to sing and
speak and be silent around the newly revealed pond. There was a joyful
accompaniment from some resident frogs. Our worship continued at
Llandrindod Wells meeting house where we swelled the numbers
considerably. This is a simple, modern, purpose-built meeting house set
back from the road and shaded, so peaceful and cool.
