10 Ethical Questions for Designing and Developing Responsible Technologies and AI.

In a world where technology is evolving at a lightning-fast pace, it is essential to question our relationship with it. The book “10 moral questions to design and develop responsible technologies and AI,” written by QCollective, a group of citizens and technology users, delves into this crucial issue. The work begins with a fundamental question:

“ What would change if we created technologies focused on the well-being of our entire ecosystem? ”

A delicate position for a technology enthusiast

As a reader passionate about our relationship with technology, I have already explored several books on the subject. I am convinced that technology is not neutral, and artificial intelligence (AI) even less so. Indeed, AI is often trained on content without the consent of its authors, raising major ethical concerns. I was particularly drawn to this book after seeing a post with the tagline:

“ If AI is the answer to everything, let's talk about the Questions. ”

A critical approach

Completely fascinated by generative AI and its possibilities, I approach technologies with a critical mindset. I am aware of our lack of awareness regarding their impact on society as a whole. As a pertinent quote highlights:

“ The underlying purpose of AI is to allow wealth to access skill while removing from the skilled the ability to access wealth. ”

This highlights issues of inequality and access to technology, but also the devaluation of creativity and skills. While AI allows the wealthy to access a skilled workforce to generate content, those who possess the necessary skills often see the value of their work decrease, even though their expertise is crucial for evaluating the quality of the outputs.

A framework for questioning technology

Back to the book, which proposes a reflective framework to question any technology and guide it toward a more positive purpose for the planet and humanity. Here are the ten essential questions to ask as part of workshops and discussions with all the designers of said technology:

How is my technology beneficial for the world at large and as a whole?
To what extent is my awareness of our interdependence integrated into this technology so that it causes no suffering to anything or anyone?
How does my creation nurture the freedom of discovery?
Am I (or someone else) able to turn it off?
What is the worst that could happen if my technology is used with malicious intent?
What will our grandchildren think of the impact of this creation on things such as planetary boundaries, the universe, and the dignity of Earth’s inhabitants?
Do I truly understand how my technology works, and am I prepared to invest in making it transparent so that all stakeholders can be educated?
How does my technological creation encourage people to interact with integrity?
Did I design my creation to avoid worsening inequality and the fragmentation of needs and desires?
Are ethics and sustainability an integral part of my creation?

Each question is accompanied by concrete examples, including current technologies such as SmartHome systems or even ChatGPT, illustrating the proposed approach.

Legislation and bias

The book also addresses the initiatives of various countries regarding AI legislation, with many examples despite the novelty and rapid emergence of these technologies. A chapter is also dedicated to biases and the concept of interconnection in technologies, both crucial topics in the current debate on responsible AI.

The challenges of responsible AI

The challenges linked to responsible AI are numerous: bias, accuracy, credibility, closed loops, misuse, data security, job displacement, and environmental impact. These issues require particular attention from developers and decision-makers.

Sorry, but this summary does not replace reading the book!

Indeed, nothing is that simple. I strongly encourage you to read the book. “10 moral questions to design and develop responsible technologies and AI” is a call for reflection and action for everyone wanting to contribute to an ethical and sustainable technological future.

At Antistatique, we approach AI with transparency and passion. We do our best to tame the technology, always eager to experiment. This willingness to experiment is essential at this stage. By relying on open models and offering to use servers located in Switzerland for our projects, we ensure that the models do not collect user data. This approach is guided by our manifesto, which guides our efforts to do things right, even if the boundaries remain blurry. We remain committed to protecting privacy and respecting individual rights. By integrating these principles into our work, we strive to create technological solutions that not only meet our clients’ needs but also contribute to a more ethical and responsible future for all.