Philosophy Bites – Carissa Veliz on Digital Ethics

Intro

In this episode of Philosophy Bites, Carissa Veliz discusses the field of digital ethics and the ethical issues surrounding data, artificial intelligence (AI), and the internet. She explores the complexities of digital ethics, the importance of privacy, the impact of AI on bias and discrimination, and the need for companies and policymakers to prioritize ethics in technology.

Main Takeaways

Digital Ethics and Data Collection

• Digital ethics focuses on ethical issues related to data, AI, and the internet.
• One of the particularities of digital ethics is the invisible and complex nature of data collection.
• Keeping up with technology changes poses a significant challenge in the field of digital ethics.

Relevance of Past Philosophers

• Great philosophers of the past still have relevance in the contemporary situation of digital ethics.

AI as Moral Patients or Agents

• If robots or AI become moral patients or agents, there may be a need for new ethical theories, which is a controversial topic.
• Moral questions apply not only to humans and animals but potentially to conscious AI as well.

Algorithmic Regulation and Ethics

• Algorithmic regulation needs to be more rigorous, similar to pharmaceutical clinical trials.
• Currently, ethics is often an afterthought in the tech industry, with more focus on damage control rather than prevention.

Privacy and Personal Data

• Privacy is a major topic in AI ethics, as machine learning requires extensive data and raises ethical concerns.
• Machine learning collects various personal data, making individuals vulnerable to potential abuses of power.
• Protecting privacy and demanding privacy can incentivize policymakers and companies to prioritize privacy as a competitive advantage.
• The trade in personal data should end to discourage irresponsible data collection and selling to the highest bidder.
• Better cybersecurity standards are needed to ensure the safety of personal data.
• Privacy is a collective endeavor and a civic duty.

Bias and Discrimination in AI

• Bias and discrimination are important topics in AI ethics and digital ethics.
• AI tends to exhibit sexism and racism due to historical data being used.
• Ethical and political issues arise when algorithms discriminate against certain groups.
• Companies need to have conversations about AI ethics instead of relying on a single person for answers.
• More companies are forming teams and consultancies focused on ethics.

Responsibility in AI Ethics

• AI ethics requires a conversation between various disciplines.
• The burden of AI ethics lies on companies and policymakers, rather than individuals.
• Educated individuals have tools to defend their rights and demand ethical practices.
• Investigative journalism and whistleblowers play a crucial role in uncovering problems with AI.

Privacy as a Political Issue

• Privacy is becoming a political issue, extending beyond individualistic or ethical concerns.

Fairness in AI

• Defining and operationalizing fairness in AI raises interesting philosophical questions.

Summary

Digital Ethics and Data Collection

Digital ethics encompasses the ethical considerations surrounding data, AI, and the internet. It involves dealing with invisible and complex data collection processes, which pose challenges for understanding and regulating ethical practices. Keeping up with the rapid technological advancements is one of the toughest aspects of digital ethics.

Relevance of Past Philosophers

Despite the advent of new technologies, the wisdom of great philosophers from the past still holds relevance in addressing contemporary ethical issues. Their insights can help navigate the complexities of digital ethics and provide valuable perspectives on the moral implications of emerging technologies.

AI as Moral Patients or Agents

If robots or AI systems attain moral agency or become subjects of moral consideration, new ethical theories may be necessary. This notion is controversial, as it raises questions about the moral status of AI and the responsibilities that come with it. Moral questions extend beyond humans and animals to potentially include conscious AI.

Algorithmic Regulation and Ethics

Algorithmic regulation, similar to the rigorous standards applied in pharmaceutical clinical trials, is crucial in ensuring ethical practices in technology. Currently, ethics is often an afterthought in the tech industry, with more emphasis on damage control rather than prevention. It is essential to prioritize ethics and integrate ethical considerations into the development and deployment of technology.

Privacy and Personal Data

Privacy is a central concern in AI ethics, particularly due to the extensive data required for machine learning algorithms. The collection of personal data raises ethical concerns and makes individuals vulnerable to potential abuses of power. Protecting privacy can incentivize policymakers and companies to prioritize privacy as a competitive advantage, leading to better practices and safeguards. The trade in personal data should be discouraged to prevent irresponsible data collection and prioritize individual privacy rights.

Bias and Discrimination in AI

Bias and discrimination are significant ethical issues in AI and digital ethics. Historical data used in AI systems can perpetuate sexism and racism, leading to biased outcomes and discriminatory practices. It is crucial to address these biases and ensure that algorithms do not discriminate against certain groups. Companies should foster conversations about AI ethics and establish teams and consultancies focused on ethical considerations.

Responsibility in AI Ethics

AI ethics requires collaboration and dialogue across various disciplines. The responsibility for ethical practices lies with companies and policymakers, who must prioritize ethical considerations in the development and deployment of AI technologies. Educated individuals play a crucial role in demanding ethical practices and defending their rights. Investigative journalism and whistleblowers are essential in uncovering problems with AI and holding organizations accountable.

Privacy as a Political Issue

Privacy is no longer just an individualistic or ethical concern; it has become a political issue. The intersection of technology, the economy, and data collection practices has transformed privacy into a broader societal and political matter. Addressing privacy concerns requires collective efforts and a recognition of privacy as a civic duty.

Fairness in AI

Defining and operationalizing fairness in AI systems raises intriguing philosophical questions. The concept of fairness varies across contexts and cultures, making it challenging to establish universal standards. Ethical considerations must be integrated into the design and implementation of AI systems to ensure fairness and mitigate discriminatory outcomes.

Conclusion

As technology continues to advance, the field of digital ethics becomes increasingly important. Ethical considerations surrounding data, AI, and the internet require attention from companies, policymakers, and individuals alike. Prioritizing privacy, addressing bias and discrimination, and fostering interdisciplinary conversations are crucial steps towards building an ethical and responsible technological future.