Towards intellectual freedom in an AI Ethics Global Community

Area of Science:

• Artificial Intelligence Ethics
• Sociotechnical Systems
• Information Technology

Background:

• Recent high-profile incidents in AI Ethics research underscore systemic issues within corporate and academic settings.
• The practice of AI Ethics research is complex, involving responsibilities, duties, dissent, and conflicts of interest.
• Early AI Ethics research faced challenges navigating the intersection of technological advancement and corporate interests.

Discussion:

• This article serves as a reference point for current consensus and disagreements in enacting AI Ethics.
• It examines problems in AI decision-making, socially encoded behaviors, biases, and researcher responsibilities.
• The paper addresses the difficult relationship between corporate interests and the nascent field of AI Ethics.

Key Insights:

• AI Ethics research requires protection and freedom to foster responsible innovation.
• Marginalized researchers face significant barriers in amplifying their work and speaking out.
• Collective action is proposed to support the global AI Ethics research community.

Outlook:

• Promoting the global AI Ethics research community is crucial for developing professional standards.
• Guiding a technological future that benefits all requires addressing ethical considerations in AI.
• The evolution of AI Ethics standards is essential for societal well-being and individual protection.