These days, artificial intelligence is all around us. Some experts are vehemently opposed to it, while others argue that we need to learn to live with it. You may even have had a chance to try out artificial intelligence for yourself. But is its use ethical? Does it adhere to all the principles?
In recent years, we have been encountering the term “artificial intelligence” with increasing frequency, and it has become virtually impossible to avoid it. This very fact has raised the question of whether we can trust this system and how to ensure that trust. Therefore, the European Commission decided to establish an expert group tasked with drafting principles on which trustworthy artificial intelligence should operate. This intelligence should have three main components. It should be lawful, ethical, and resilient.
Artificial intelligence systems are subject to the legal framework. From development through deployment to use, it is essential to comply with the laws that apply to them—ranging from various European Union treaties to anti-discrimination directives. In connection with the ethical component of artificial intelligence, it is essential to uphold fundamental human rights, such as respect for human dignity, individual freedom, equality, non-discrimination, and solidarity. In connection with the law, four ethical principles are outlined to ensure that artificial intelligence systems are developed, implemented, and used in a trustworthy manner, namely: respect for human autonomy, prevention of harm, fairness, and accountability. At the same time, it is essential to secure these systems from both technical and social perspectives, as even with good intentions, they can cause unintended harm.
In order for all these principles to be effectively applied in practice, it was necessary to translate them into requirements. These requirements apply to all stakeholders at all stages of the artificial intelligence lifecycle. This includes developers, operators, end-users, and the general public. These requirements are:
- Human factor and oversight: artificial intelligence is viewed as a tool for creating and supporting democracy, a prosperous society, and human autonomy; therefore, it is essential that people come first.
- Technical resilience and security: AI systems must be developed to prevent any harm that may be caused to either the system or the user.
- Privacy and data governance: this involves implementing systems that will protect privacy, data, and information.
- Transparency: refers primarily to the traceability of the data and information with which the systems operate, as well as the ability to explain the principles by which artificial intelligence functions.
