Artificial Intelligence, or just AI, can be found in some of the simplest, to more complex systems, from the workplace right through to the criminal justice system. AI has a place in decision-making, and a lot of people are opposing this.
Since the dawn of time, humanity has been left with the responsibility of making decisions in a manner which would benefit the species, other species, and the planet, yet historically speaking, not all choices have been towards a greater future for all.
There have been numerous impacts that have stemmed from systematic biased decision-making as result of inequality, racism, misogyny, and numerous other factors.
With the improvements and advancements that have been made in the field of AI, automated decision-making, or ADM, has become a hot topic of conversation towards a future entailing impartial decisions as a move towards a more noble cause.
The topic has been addressed by numerous institutions, foundations, and working papers where accountability, traceability, redress, and general fairness is concerned.
AI and ADM – how can it be applied in real-life situations?
The systems which are used for ADM are computer systems which can either inform or they can decide on a course of action with the purpose of pursuing an individual or a business.
Although ADM does not always make use of AI but can draw on technology as algorithms are used in machine learning with the purpose of improving the accuracy of predictions.
Such systems have been used in private sectors for numerous years and in recent years, there have been numerous experiments to make decisions pertaining to the planning and management of new infrastructure to:
- Reduce tax fraud
- Rate the performance of schools, hospitals, and other institutions
- Deploy policing resources, and
- Minimize the chance or the risk of reoffences.
AI and ADM which currently exists and is in use – do people know?
A lot of people may be familiar with some uses of AI, but may not question, in-depth, just how much of a presence AI truly has in daily life.
A lot of people realize that self-driving cars are a form of AI, but not quite know things such as digital assistance, like Siri and Alexa, or the handy function where devices can identify people in photos or videos.
Furthermore, people may not be aware that AI is being used to detect fraudulent transactions, to optimise energy usage, discovering medicines, or any other applications where the general assumption is that it is human-driven.
Numerous surveys have been done in a variety of settings, especially workplaces, where people are not familiar with the usage of AI, and this has caused a stir and a substantial amount of concern, even opposition towards it.
ADM is being used in criminal justice systems, in workplaces, advertisements, decisions pertaining to immigration, financial services, healthcare, and a wide variety of other sectors.
The majority of people, who either found out about the multitude of uses, or those who have known about it for quite some time, are concerned about the lack of emotional intelligence associated with AI.
The lack of empathy and compassion often required to make a decision, is what causes most of the opposition that ADM and AI has received in addition to it taking away from the ability of people to take responsibility or accountability for certain actions.
How feasible is ADM?
ADM has been in use for years and these systems have great potential in increasing fairness of outcomes due to the ability to improve accuracy along with minimizing biases.
Systems such as these can increase efficiency greatly and help with savings for both businesses and those who are subjected to the decision or the outcome thereof.
The benefits of ADM outweigh the concerns and opposition with reliance on such increasing as the effectiveness thereof is proven time after time in numerous situations.
On a macro scale, algorithms are informing better and improved decision making which subsequently creates better, more efficient institutions and business processes.
The drive is towards an improved, less bias, fair and equal future for all, although care has to be taken in utilizing ADM as the algorithms used may inherit or even perpetuate human biases in decision making when based on data which contains biased human decisions.
Unfortunately, such concerns cannot yet be dealt with until there are more concrete standards on how biased algorithmic decision makers can be dealt with.
Final Thoughts
Human nature is flawed, and history has a tendency of repeating itself. This is a characteristic that machine learning does not share with humanity, and this may be one of the many advantages of making use of ADM.
OQLIS enables everyone to interrogate data and build dashboards in an intuitive drag on drop interface, safely and securely. All using the power of the modern web. Visit their website: https://www.oqlis.com/.
