Garbage in, toxic data out: a proposal for ethical artificial intelligence sustainability impact statements

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Ethics
• Technology Policy

Background:

• Data and autonomous systems are increasingly integrated into daily life, impacting sectors from healthcare to smart homes.
• While offering limitless technological advances, these systems raise significant ethical, legal, safety, and moral concerns.
• The pervasive nature of these technologies necessitates a thorough examination of their societal impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a structured analytical assessment of ethical, safety, and legal concerns throughout the artificial intelligence (AI) lifecycle.
• To lay the groundwork for the first ethical AI sustainability statement.
• To guide the future development of AI in a safe and sustainable manner.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the AI lifecycle, encompassing data gathering, model development, and deployment phases.
• Structured assessment of potential ethical, safety, and legal challenges.
• Development of foundational principles for an ethical AI sustainability statement.

Main Results:

• Identification of key ethical, safety, and legal risks associated with AI systems across their lifecycle.
• Proposal of a framework for an ethical AI sustainability statement.
• Establishment of guidelines for responsible AI development and deployment.

Conclusions:

• Integrating AI into daily life requires careful consideration of its ethical, legal, and safety implications.
• An ethical AI sustainability statement is crucial for guiding responsible AI innovation.
• Proactive measures are needed to ensure AI development aligns with societal values and safety standards.