Human rights must not be overlooked in AI race: Rashmi Dubé

There was a time where large business corporations and the government were dictating the line of travel and how we should all behave in some form or another. But there has been a tectonic shift due to a combination of things such as social media on the rise, the me-too movement and Black Lives Matter.

In addition, there is also a change in societies globally around human rights. Different groups are fighting for their rights and identity, to be recognised or “seen,” and in this regard women are falling behind once again in the world.

Yet no one at this stage seems to be talking about human rights alongside Artificial Technology or regulation around this point.

When I have raised this in discussions before, the response is often “why are you trying to regulate something we don’t fully understand at this point?” My response has always been the same; why would you not want to protect human rights in general? Surely that is the starting point of something we do understand?

In any event, when we do appreciate the fuller impact on a more general level then it may just be too late. The lack of control and regulation around social media platforms is an example in point.

There is no doubt that the combination of changes within society has had an impact on how businesses operate, particularly around Diversity and Inclusion. The issue around inclusion is that is often discussed by those that are included but are now in fear of not including everyone or trying to please everyone. Pleasing everyone is never the position of inclusion.

Organisations are combating their own demons and finding some equilibrium in how to navigate the growing changes facing culture and society through machine learning. Machine learning already is a game changer and goes far beyond making organisations more efficient and increasing productivity.

Unless controlled (and I believe control here is an illusion), there is an inevitability that AI will cross over legal and ethical boundaries as it becomes more accomplished at doing the job, creating a negative impact upon society. AI algorithms are powered by data but the data we have is likely to be compromised by either by the people inputting the data or if other controls are in place.

We are living through a time of young activists speaking out across a variety of social issues, the advancement of technology, and billionaires controlling aspects of speech and having control of our personal data on all social media platforms.

If you have considered all these issues as a board of directors, I am unclear what the answer is, other than to understand what the organisation’s mission is, embrace what we can in respect of technology, and safeguard where possible.

We need to have an open dialogue with society but there is a duty also upon society to listen and have an open conversation and debate in return.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Rashmi Dubé is a partner at gunnercooke