Responses to IEEE Initiative on Ethical Design of AI

ai-human

With the release of  “Ethically Aligned Design: A Vision for Prioritizing Human Wellbeing with Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems (AI/AS),” IEEE and its Global Initiative for Ethical Considerations in Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems has positioned itself as a thoughtful contributor to the growing public dialog on artificial intelligence and the importance of human-centric approaches to technology and its application.  News of IEEE’s work is spreading and has been reported and commented on in various media sources, including the following:

To tackle the problem of data asymmetry and privacy, the report offers “recommendations that focus on the principles of standardization of the definitions of personal information, access and control of personal data, clear notice and choice, and privacy and identity education. The hope is that through continued dialogue, public engagement, and the IEEE Standards Process, these concerns and potential solutions can be developed into operational use.”

“Building privacy into artificial intelligence and automated systems”
PrivacyTech (22 Dec. 2016)
https://iapp.org/news/a/building-privacy-into-artificial-intelligence-and-automated-systems/

“The organization has today published the first version of a framework document it’s hoping will guide the industry toward the light — and help technologists build benevolent and beneficial autonomous systems, rather than thinking that ethics is not something they need to be worrying about.”

“IEEE puts out a first draft for how tech can achieve ethical design”
TechCrunch (13 Dec. 2016)
https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/13/ieee-puts-out-a-first-draft-guide-for-how-tech-can-achieve-ethical-ai-design/

“As the tech world pushes forward with the development of artificial intelligence, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is asking everyone to pause and consider the ethical ramifications.”

“IEEE publishes draft report on “ethically aligned” AI design”
ZDNET (13 Dec. 2016)
http://www.zdnet.com/article/ieee-publishes-draft-report-on-ethically-aligned-ai-design/

“Popular culture abounds with examples of artificial intelligence gone haywire, from the creepy HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey to the more recent killer androids from Westworld (what a great series!). But you don’t have to deal with the Terminator for A.I. to become dangerous. It doesn’t even have to be self-conscious to rise against us — just badly programmed. Imagine what an automated system based on self-learning and big data can do to the stock market.  With this in mind, the IEEE just released the first draft of Ethically Aligned Design, a document which offers ethical considerations in the creation of autonomous and intelligent technologies.”

“How to make an ethically aligned artificial intelligence – IEEE publishes first guidelines”
ZMEScience (15 Dec. 2016)
http://www.zmescience.com/tech/ethically-aligned-ai/

“Today, the IEEE kicked off a broad initiative to make ethics a part of the design process for systems using artificial intelligence. The effort, in the works for more than a year, hopes to spark conversations that lead to consensus-driven actions and has already generated three standards efforts.”

AI Ethics Effort Starts at IEEE
EETimes (13 Dec. 2016)
http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1330978