Ethical AI development requires inter-sectorial collaboration—Expert

A software expert, Mr Etung Samuel, says collaborative efforts across industry, academia, and research sectors is essential in navigating the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethics.

Samuel said this in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Abuja.

He said that ethical consideration in the development and deployment of AI was multifaceted and required proactive measures to ensure responsible outcomes.

According to Samuel, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Greenlab Software Technology, the development of AI brings with it numerous ethical considerations that should be addressed to ensure responsible and beneficial outcomes.

”To strive toward an AI-driven future that upholds ethical principles, respect for human value, and promotes societal wellbeing many issues need to be addressed.

”These issues include job displacement, decision making autonomy, value alignment, safety, and governance, ” he said.

He said that AI, with its potential to surpass human intelligence, posed unique challenges that differed significantly from those associated with current AI technologies.

He said one of the primary ethical concerns surrounding AI was its potential impact on employment.

“The automation capabilities of AI can lead to significant job displacement, exacerbating economic inequality.

“It is crucial to develop frameworks that ensure the benefits of AI are distributed equitably, and that support systems are in place for those affected by technological advancements,’’ he said.

Samuel also said that as AI systems became more autonomous, questions would arise regarding decision-making processes and the moral, societal, and legal implications of the actions.

He said that, ensuring AI systems were held accountable for their decisions was vital, adding that it would involve developing mechanisms for transparency and accountability in AI decision-making processes.

The CEO said that programing AI to align with human values was a complex challenge that required the careful consideration of diverse perspectives.

“It is essential to mitigate biases in AI systems to ensure they operate fairly and justly.

“This involves integrating societal, legal, and moral values into the technological development of AI at all stages, from design to deployment,’’ he said.