Artificial Intelligence Ethicists

AI ethicists play an important role in ensuring that artificial intelligence-powered products and services are developed, deployed, and managed in an ethical manner.

Before work begins on an AI project, ethicists create detailed guidelines, frameworks, policies, and standards that govern responsible AI development. They also review AI usage standards and laws that have been created by tech associations and government agencies to ensure that their proposed technology adheres to these best practices and laws. AI ethicists conduct ethical impact assessments of potential and current AI systems to identify potential biases, cyberthreats, privacy concerns, and other negative issues. They also audit AI algorithms and outputs to identify and rectify biases, discriminatory patterns, and other issues. Ethicists prepare reports that summarize their findings and meet with executives, software developers, product managers, legal experts, and others to discuss ways to improve AI technology and address any ongoing issues. AI ethicists also work with regulatory, legal, and compliance teams to ensure that their employer is following relevant laws and regulations regarding AI and ethics. AI ethicists provide advice to executives, elected officials, and others regarding the ethical implications of AI–related product decisions, policy decisions, and potential laws and regulations.

Education and research are other important tasks for AI ethicists. They educate coworkers, policy makers, and others about ethical AI practices, the potential negative consequences of improper use of AI, and other concerns. They develop AI ethics training materials for use by coworkers, the public, and elected officials. Some speak with the media about these issues. Many conduct surveys of and otherwise interact with the public to gauge opinion about the use of AI and its potential benefits and dangers.