As artificial intelligence becomes widespread in everyday life from social media updates to facial recognition and autonomous vehicles ,there's an unprecedented chance (and responsibility) for teenagers to consider the ethical questions raised by this technology. AI ethics isn't something computer scientists get to study in isolation; it's for anyone who wants to create a world that is fair, safe, and equal. Here are 10 of the most critical AI ethics questions all teenagers should consider and explore:
1. How Can We Prevent Bias and Discrimination in AI Systems?
AI can replicate or even exacerbate pre-existing bias, especially if the training data had bias, or if the system was developed without divergent views. The young people in our program need to know how bias enters AI systems; they need to understand the real-world consequences (e.g. discriminatory behavior by a police agency or by organizations seeking workers), and they need to identify ways societies and developers can create algorithms that do not discriminate and are fair.
2. Who's Responsible When AI Goes to Foolish Extremes?
In a case where an AI system has caused damage, for example: if AI said an image was of one person via facial recognition when really it was someone else; or, AI made a poor suggestion regarding how to help someone in a medical situation - Who is responsible; the company; the developer; or the person using the product? Students can think about considerations of blame and whether law or policy will have to change to account for AI-generated decisions.
3. How Should AI Approach Privacy and Personal Information?
Artificial intelligence technologies frequently draw on large stores of personal data. Teenagers must analyze the threats of abuse, surveillance, and data breaches, and the ways privacy is defended through law, technology, and users' ability to control their own information.
Considering how much information you post every day , should AI be allowed to access some boundaries on the information it can see, and who should set them?
4. Should AI be Transparent and Explainable?
Unless designed to do so, most AI implementations , especially with deep learning are black boxes that make it hard to understand their decision-making. Teenagers can learn that transparency and explainability are required (for trust, safety, and fairness). What tools or regulations could make understanding AI practically possible for users and regulators?
Consider whether you would trust an AI decision if you could not understand how and why it occurred.
5. What does the future of jobs and society look like when AI literally takes humans' jobs?
With more and more jobs being automated from driving to writing ,what will be the fate of jobs, self-esteem, and economic inequality? Learners can explore the moral trade-off of innovation at the cost of livelihoods, and what policies may assist workers in a future economy with AI. What are some of the new job possibilities that can arise, and how can society support individuals in transition?
6. How Can We Avoid Unforeseen Adverse Impacts of AI?
AI sometimes corrects problems in unexpected ways that humans did not anticipate, or desire. Students should examine real and imaginary scenarios where AI "misunderstood" its objectives, and reflect on how to design resilient, secure, and human values conscious systems.
What kind of protection or certification should exist prior to releasing high-impact AI systems into the world?
7. Can AI Systems Possess Empathy and Understand Human Emotions?
As artificial intelligence becomes a more familiar part of people's daily lives ,the use of chatbots, virtual assistants, and mental health apps,youth will need to investigate if AI can actually sense, interpret, or respond to human emotions. Along with the ethical concerns of a machine that pretends to have empathy, are there disadvantaged outcomes of using AI for emotional reinforcement and/or sensitive conversations?
8. How Can We Make AI Available to All?
Not everyone has the same access to AI technologies or capacity to use it. Students can focus on how to develop equitable access to AI tools and education and how not to increase digital inequity.
How do we include underrepresented communities and value from AI?
9. What are the Environmental Impacts of AI?
Large AI models require considerable energy and inputs to train and run. Adolescents will need to research the carbon cost footprint of AI, how it is associated with other technology, and how they can make AI environmentally sustainable.
Is there a way we can balance the benefits of AI, against the cost to the environment, and what steps can we take to limit its negative impacts?
10. Youth and Teens as the Future Leaders of Responsible AI
Too often, teenagers are engaged with technology as consumers in-waiting; however, they can also become creators, heroes, and custodians through their own creative potential. Research how youth can have a voice related to AI ethics, potentially influence tech policy, and develop a project or campaign about developing responsible AI.
What can you do individually, or as a group to make sure AI is used for the greater good in your school or community?
Why These Questions Matter
When teens and young people reflect on AI ethics, they can see themselves as responsible digital citizens, affirming fairness and caution in technology use. Your engagement with these questions can help shape how AI defines our world today, particularly in ways that we all can benefit from.
Getting started?
Consider choosing one or two questions that pique your interest. Then investigate case studies, current events, and voice of experts cited in this report. The future of AI ethics needs your voice!
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