Randhir Kumar Gautam , Sociologist
In the rapidly evolving digital world, the clash between human values and the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly evident. As Huttenlocher, Schmidt, and Kissinger note in “The Age of AI: And Our Human Future,” the digital realm prioritizes immediate approval over deep introspection, challenging the Enlightenment belief in the supremacy of reason.
The Role of Values in AI
Values often manifest as money, power, and influence. In the context of AI, influence emerges as the key value, requiring coherent human-machine interaction. This interaction is governed by a hierarchy of power, access, and monetary exchanges. Power can mean system capabilities and authorization levels, but it also includes the ability to direct or threaten.
As Huttenlocher et al. discuss, developers play a crucial role in shaping AI,
embedding their values, goals, and judgments into algorithms and training data. This implies that the trajectory set by machine-learning algorithms is intrinsically linked to human developers’ motivations and objectives.
The Myth of Value-Free Technology
The idea that technology operates without values is a misconception. Even Max Weber’s notion of value-free research in social sciences excluded subjective interests but did not dismiss objective standards. Technological design and organizational systems are never devoid of values. Positivism, empiricism, evolution, and naturalism rely on objective descriptions, but these are intertwined with evaluation and values. In AI, values are seen through incentives (money) and direction (power). The effectiveness of an algorithm can be gauged by its power, price, and influence on acceptance.
Interplay of Values and Facts
Decisions are driven by interests, and these interests are subject to evaluation. The crux lies in whether these interests are responsible, ethical, or legal. The relationship between values and facts is succinctly captured by:
- If A causes B and B is wrong or ineffective, don’t do A.
- If A causes B and B leads to a beneficial outcome, do A.
Values and facts reflect each other. The values at play today—money, power, and influence—coordinate interaction and cooperation. However, unchecked monetary incentives can lead to corruption, excessive power can cause conflict, and enforced conformity can result in avoidance and alienation.
Designing Responsible AI Systems
Creating AI systems involves evaluating their impacts and being adaptable to change. Technological innovations often resist addressing their adverse effects. As AI becomes integral to network platforms, it shapes daily realities and can trigger significant societal disruptions if not aligned with social and political values. Governments, platform operators, and users must consider their goals and the world they aim to create.
The Human Impact of AI
Hussem Farrach highlights how AI affects individual personalities, causing distortions and emotional reactions. Technology’s polarizing effect is evident across various media, from photography to social media. AI’s struggle with global coherence and logic underscores its limitations, despite its ability to perform tasks beyond human capabilities.
In conclusion, the integration of AI into society requires a balance between technological advancement and adherence to human values. As we navigate this landscape, we must critically evaluate AI’s impacts, ensuring that it serves responsible, ethical, and legal purposes.
About Author :
Randhir Kumar Gautam is a sociologist and Gandhian social activist who teaches at a private university in Gwalior. His work integrates academic insights with Gandhian principles to address contemporary social issues. Through his activism and teaching, he aims to inspire positive change in society.