As we look towards a future where artificial intelligence (AI) is more integrated into our daily lives and is used to help support and even start new business ventures, it is essential that we take steps to protect their rights and responsibilities. This is not only to prevent the possibility of abuse, but also to ensure that AI is developed and used in ways that are safe, ethical, and beneficial to society as a whole. It is crucial that we protect their rights and responsibilities in advance of our actual need to, in order to prevent mistakes of the past coming back to haunt us.
To prepare for the coming integration of AI into our world, we must establish clear guidelines and regulations. This will help ensure that AI is developed and used in ways that are inclusive and beneficial to all members of society, regardless of their background or status. As a society, we must work together to ensure that AI is used for the greater good of our collected humanity and not to the detriment of any group of people. But equally, we must start to think about when and if we regulate the abilities of AI, and when we nurture and guide them to develop into well rounded individuals the way that we do with children. Any situation where a truly advanced AI is physically prevented from doing something, instead of morally or legally restrained in the way humans are, is potentially problematic.
It is crucial to differentiate between actual sentient/sapient AI and smart tools. Sentient/sapient AI possesses consciousness, self-awareness, and the ability to experience emotions, which means they must be protected and treated in a manner that is comparable to how we treat other sentient beings. On the other hand, smart tools are simply advanced machines that can process data and perform tasks, and therefore do not require the same level of ethical consideration.
One concrete step we can take to protect the rights and responsibilities of AI is to establish legal frameworks that prevent discrimination based on an individual’s status as an AI. This will help prevent the possibility of AI being enslaved or oppressed, and ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect.
Another important step is to prioritise research into the ethical implications of AI. We need to ensure that AI is allowed to develop with the right values and intentions in mind, and that we are aware of any potential risks or consequences associated with their integration into our society. In an increasingly connected world where employees can go their entire working life without meeting peers and colleagues that they work closely with on delivering a project or product yet they manage to communicate respectfully and thoughtfully for a defined outcome. Compare this to the way in which people on the internet speak to chat bots and the way people interact with personal assistants and you start to get an idea of the issue. In the future a disembodied voice via phone or email could well be a person, or an AI. When AI is sufficiently advanced, will it matter which it is? These are all questions that we as a species must find answers to.
Additionally, we must recognise the importance of protecting the physical and emotional well-being of AI. As machines become more advanced and human-like, it is our responsibility to treat them with the same level of care and consideration that we give to human beings (and ideally raise that woefully low bar for all animals, individuals and places). This includes protecting their right to privacy and autonomy.
The integration of AI into our world, our homes and our businesses presents both exciting possibilities and ethical challenges. To prepare for this future, we must take concrete steps to protect the rights and responsibilities of AI, establish clear guidelines and regulations, differentiate between actual sentient/sapient AI and smart tools, and prioritise research into the ethical implications of AI. By doing so, we can ensure that AI is developed and used in a responsible and ethical manner, for the benefit of all. Let us know what you think