The need for humanitarian perspective in development of Generative AI
In a recent interview the. Google CEO Sundar Pichai told CBS,
“AI development needs input from social scientists, ethicists, and philosophers. AI systems need to be aligned to human values, including morality. Concerns about the ethics of AI include its ability to hallucinate and potentially spread misinformation.”
The enthusiasm in the tech industry for integrating Generative AI into every product and service does not surprise me. What encourages me is that there is a broad consensus amidst tech leaders that the long term social and societal impact of AI needs to be studied, understood, and regulated.
It is obvious that Software developers and tech leaders do not have the skills or foresight to imagine. future scenarios that will unfold as AI begins to access more personal data and develop its own intentions, behaviors, and craving for power over humans. Will AI become Sentient is a question on everyone’s mind.
What makes me hopeful in these ambiguous times. is the work of Compassionate AI lab led by Dr Amit Ray. He says,
“The coming era of Artificial Intelligence will not be the era of war, but be the era of deep compassion, non-violence, and love.”
I am skeptical about all AI agents following rules set by developers. I am also sceptical. about all developers having the foresight for what rules need to be put in place. We will have a society of humans and AI agents cohabiting where both well intentioned and ethical people and agents will live alongside ill intentioned and unethical ones. There will be hackers who will find ways of defying rules and navigating. their way around societal norms just to serve their ego or craving for power. There is no doubt that AI agents will be more intelligent than humans. The real challenge is “How might we set rules and boundaries and enforce them?”. Also a higher order question that comes to my mind is- If AI agents are more intelligent than humans, can we build AI agents that are more compassionate than humans and are dedicated to promoting non-violence and love? In a strange way can we create incorruptible AI agents?
I find this space immensely exciting. I have no doubt that the the the community of AnthroDesigners will have work cut out for us. because we have the necessary sensitivity, skills and a commitment to safeguard humanity from unanticipated consequences of disruptive technologies.
A week ago I had the opportunity to be briefly introduced to a VP from Google who was meeting with one of my friends at a wine bar. Later in the evening I received a text message from my friend. “Hey, she was asking if your firm is still taking on projects. She needs help exploring how to best incorporate AI into her product”. I have no doubt that this tech leader is mindful of the need her boss has cleverly expressed to seek help of social scientists, ethicists, and philosophers in harnessing the power of AI.
I foresee a clear opportunity. emerging for Anthrodesigners to bring to the tech community new mindset’s, methods and tools for for mindful application of Generative AI.
The efforts to create safeguards for application of AI need to be mobilised on a war footing. The work will involve helping all stakeholders become curious, and mindful learners. The new learning approaches will need to be introduced in both educational institutions and in the industry. I am excited to play a part in cultivating. mindfulness in both humans and AI agents.
