The Buck Stops Here: Taking Responsibility for Human Rights Instead of Blaming AI

My dear fellow humans,

let us not deceive ourselves any longer. We have broken the idea of ‘human rights’ from the start of civilisation.

We have continually degraded the very ideas we claim to support, from the ancient Greeks and Romans to modern-day democracies.

And now, with artificial intelligence on our heels, we have a new scapegoat to lament for our own failings.

Slavery, genocide, apartheid, and numerous unmentionable crimes have been staged in the name of ‘civilization.’

Power, pelf and perfidy have been used to oppress and marginalise people who disagree with us.

Inequality has been deeply embedded in us as a civilization perpetuated by social and economic structures depriving humanity of their fumdamental dignity.

Ironically, we still possess that chutzpah to blame AI for all of our ills.

Robots are blamed for stealing our employment, invading our privacy, and endangering our security.

AI is becoming the punching bag to skirt our responsibility for owning upto our own failings and flaws.

Truth be told, AI is not the problem. We are.

AI is a technology invented by us humans, and it is onerous on us to decide whether we will use it wisely or otherwise.

AI can be utilised well to create a just and equitable society or misutilised to reinforce the status quo and perpetuate inequality.

We need to put a full stop to this 'blaming the other'.

We need to acknowledge our shortcomings as a civilization.

We need to understand how and where we went wrong so as to create a history of human right violations.

We need to take the advantage of the AI technology to start an era of just and equitable society for all.

Remember that it is not AI that is undermining human rights.

It is we who are doing so.

The buck stops with us.

Stop making the 'other' as our 'enemy'.

Let us be responsible and make the world a better place fou humanity to live and prosper.

Let us put our concerns into action and stop this perpetual blame game.

Thanks and regards,

DT

Note: The CHARTER on the USE of AI for Good

I have seen many a charter being shared at all places and sundry as to how AI should be used to safeguard human rights.

So I made up my own charter to share for humans to use AI for good.

1. Human Dignity: Artificial intelligence systems should be built and deployed in ways that respect human dignity, autonomy, privacy, and variety. Humans should follow these same principles in their acts and decisions.

2. Responsibity: Humans are ultimately accountable for the judgements made by AI systems. So ultimately, the humans must retain control over the AI decision making system. This core principle must be the focus in any development and implemnetation of AI system. Humans must also accept responsibility for their acts and decisions, rather than using AI as a scapegoat for their shortcomings.

3. Sustainability: AI should be built and deployed to promote environmental and social responsibility. Humans should also act in ways that promote social responsibility and sustainability.

4. Transparency: AI decision-making should be transparent, explainable, and accountable. Humans should likewise be open, responsible, and accountable for their acts and decisions.

5. Fairness: AI systems should be created and utilised in a way that ensures fairness, non-discrimination, and bias avoidance. Humans should also make an effort to treat one another properly and equally.

6. Education: Education and training should be offered to guarantee that AI systems are created, implemented, and used in an ethical and responsible manner. Humans have a responsibility to educate themselves on the principles and methods of human rights so as to uphold it when the time comes in convivance with these noble ideals.

7. Security: Last but not the least, AI should be built and deployed to secure individual and societal safety and security. Humans should also take precautions to safeguard the safety and security of others, and avoid behaviours that endanger others.

We must ensure that both humans and AI systems are developed and used in ways that promote human rights and dignity, rather than undermining them. To achieve this, we must first look inward and work to correct our own fallibilities. Although we cannot change the past, we can acknowledge historical wrongs and make efforts to move forward towards a more just and equitable future. Similarly, we must learn from our mistakes in the development and use of technology, and make a concerted effort to use AI in a responsible and ethical manner.

Disclaimer: The original version of this story was published on another platform. Link to original version: https://medium.com/@diwakar.thakore/the-buck-stops-here-taking-responsibility-for-human-rights-instead-of-blaming-ai-32eaedc93058