AI 101: A Starter Guide

Ethical Considerations for Generative AI

Generative AI introduces several key ethical themes that impact various aspects of society. This is why institutions like UNESCO and nations such as the United States have developed principles, guidelines, and policies to promote the responsible use of AI. The US has even created a "Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights" to help with issues like:

• the replication of existing biases in AI systems used in hiring processes, leading to unfair outcomes for certain groups;
• in healthcare, the opaque nature of AI models can make it challenging for doctors to understand why specific diagnoses are suggested, potentially undermining trust;
• the significant energy consumption required to train large AI models raises environmental concerns;
• the misuse of AI to create deepfakes or spread misinformation poses serious security risks.

These are only a few examples of the broader ethical dilemmas we must navigate as AI technology becomes more integrated into society.

The resources provided after each thematic overview are meant to serve as starting points for your own exploration into these topics. Many of these resources are based on U.S. perspectives, so it's important to consider how these issues may vary in different global contexts.