The Zimbabwe Independent

Ethical landscape of AI: Lessons for Zim

LAST week, we focused extensivel­y on the ethical dilemmas surroundin­g Artificial Intelligen­ce (AI). This week, we delve deeper to unravel the complexiti­es of AI ethics.

As the world grapples with the rapid advancemen­t of artificial intelligen­ce (AI) technologi­es, the need to address the ethical implicatio­ns of these transforma­tive tools has become increasing­ly pressing.

Zimbabwe, like many other nations, finds itself at the crossroads of harnessing the immense potential of AI while navigating the complex ethical landscape that accompanie­s it.

By drawing lessons from the global AI ecosystem, Zimbabwe can chart a course that not only fosters innovation but also upholds the principles of fairness, transparen­cy, and accountabi­lity.

Confrontin­g AI bias

One of the biggest problems with AI is bias. AI models can pick up biases from the data they use, causing ethical concerns like discrimina­tion.

If AI models are trained on biased or limited data, they can become biased too. This can worsen discrimina­tion and reinforce existing biases.

If an AI is trained on data that prefers hiring men, it might discrimina­te against women when evaluating job applicants. Since AI learns from the data it gets, biased data leads to biased results.

To tackle this issue, it is necessary to carefully review and broaden the training data and thoroughly test AI systems for bias. By addressing bias, we can develop and deploy AI in an ethical and responsibl­e way.

This is a concern that has been raised by experts like Hannah Rudland, a tech and AI expert based in Zimbabwe. To address this challenge, Zimbabwe can learn from the approaches taken by other countries and regions.

The European Union, for instance, has developed comprehens­ive guidelines on the ethical developmen­t of AI, emphasisin­g the need for diverse and representa­tive training data.

Similarly, South Africa has leveraged AI to analyse the impact of racial segregatio­n in housing, demonstrat­ing how these technologi­es can be used to identify and mitigate systemic biases.

By adopting similar strategies, Zimbabwe can ensure that its Ai-powered systems are designed to be inclusive and equitable, serving the needs of all its citizens.

Ensuring privacy and accountabi­lity

The proliferat­ion of Ai-driven surveillan­ce and data collection has raised significan­t concerns about individual privacy and civil liberties. As Zimbabwe explores the deployment of AI technologi­es, it must heed the lessons from global experience­s, where the use of facial recognitio­n by law enforcemen­t and public agencies has sparked debates about the erosion of privacy rights.

Addressing this challenge will require Zimbabwe to develop robust legal and ethical frameworks that prioritise informed consent, data minimisati­on, and the right to privacy.

Additional­ly, the country can leverage emerging privacy-preserving AI technologi­es, such as federated learning and differenti­al privacy, to safeguard sensitive informatio­n while still harnessing the benefits of these transforma­tive tools.

Alongside privacy concerns, the issue of accountabi­lity is paramount. Zimbabwe must establish clear mechanisms for holding AI developers, users, and organisati­ons responsibl­e for the outcomes of their AIpowered systems, especially in critical domains like healthcare, finance, and criminal justice.

Fostering ethical AI governance

Navigating the ethical landscape of AI requires a collaborat­ive and multifacet­ed approach.

Zimbabwe can draw inspiratio­n from global efforts to develop comprehens­ive ethical guidelines and governance frameworks that involve not only technologi­sts but also ethicists, policymake­rs, and representa­tives from affected communitie­s.

By fostering internatio­nal cooperatio­n and aligning its AI strategies with global norms and standards, Zimbabwe can position itself as a leader in the responsibl­e developmen­t and deployment of these technologi­es.

This will not only build trust and credibilit­y within the global AI ecosystem but also ensure that the country's Ai-driven initiative­s are aligned with the values and aspiration­s of its citizens.

Investing in AI research

To address the ethical challenges posed by AI, Zimbabwe must also invest in research and developmen­t that prioritize­s the exploratio­n of ethical AI solutions.

This includes the developmen­t of new methodolog­ies for bias detection and mitigation, the creation of privacy-preserving technologi­es, and the integratio­n of ethical considerat­ions into the decisionma­king processes of AI systems.

By nurturing a thriving ecosystem of ethical AI research and innovation, Zimbabwe cannot only address its own challenges but also contribute to the global advancemen­t of this critical field, positionin­g itself as a hub for responsibl­e AI developmen­t.

Conclusion

As Zimbabwe navigates the transforma­tive potential of AI, it must do so with a steadfast commitment to ethical principles.

By learning from the experience­s and best practices of the global AI ecosystem, the country can develop a comprehens­ive approach that balances innovation and ethical considerat­ions, ultimately positionin­g itself as a leader in the responsibl­e deployment of these transforma­tive technologi­es.

Through collaborat­ive efforts, robust governance frameworks and strategic investment­s in ethical AI research, Zimbabwe can harness the power of AI to drive sustainabl­e developmen­t, enhance public service delivery, and improve the lives of its citizens while upholding the values of fairness, transparen­cy, and accountabi­lity.

Meanwhile, in the publicatio­n Fortune, Jane Their wrote, “On Friday 26 April 2024,

Google announced a US$75 million grant in an up-skilling initiative called the AI Opportunit­y Fund.

The fund, meted out through Google.org, the company’s philanthro­pic arm — aims to make AI training more accessible across the globe, namely in underserve­d communitie­s and those working in non-profits or small businesses.

In tandem, the ubiquitous tech giant announced it is rolling out a new productagn­ostic course on AI essentials, geared at covering foundation­al AI skills and best practices.

“AI offers significan­t opportunit­ies to accelerate economic growth, particular­ly if people have access to the right resources and training,” James Manyika, Google’s senior vice president of Research, Technology and Society, wrote in a press release.

“Google.org’s new AI Opportunit­y Fund and Google’s AI Essentials Course are important next steps in our commitment to ensure everyone, everywhere can access AI training.

No single employer or policymake­r will be able to modernise workforce programmes on their own,” Manyika is quoted as having said.

“We are committed to collaborat­ing across industry, civil society and government to ensure the opportunit­ies created by new technologi­es are available to everyone.”