unintended findings

Definition of unintended findings

The term unintended findings is often used in the social sciences. Unintended findings (more often mentioned as unintended consequences) are outcomes of a purposeful action that are not intended or foreseen. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the risk of unintended consequences. These findings can lead to unfair discrimination against certain groups of people.

Implications of commitment to unintended findings

Commitment to unintended findings in AI has significant implications for the development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence systems. Unintended findings can, for example, lead to safety and security risks, where AI systems may behave unpredictably or in ways that compromise user privacy and data security. Addressing these concerns becomes crucial to prevent harmful consequences.

What is at stake when finding unintended results in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are for example:

• bias: this can lead to unfair treatment for certain groups of people, and exacerbate existing societal inequalities.
• AI being a threat to humans (for example job replacement): As machines become more intelligent and capable, they will increasingly be able to perform tasks that were previously done by humans. This could lead to widespread unemployment and economic disruption, especially for those with lower levels of education and skills.
• The potential for misuse and abuse: AI could be used for malicious purposes such as cyberattacks, surveillance, and propaganda. Governments and private companies must work together to establish regulations and oversight to prevent this from happening.
• Loss of privacy: with all the data that is available, it becomes easier for governments and private companies to collect and use personal information without consent.

Societal transformations required for addressing concern raised by unintended findings

The way that is dealt with the findings is important. Stakeholders should be transparent but should also be careful with results. When unintended findings are negative and harmful, multiple people are at risk. Human oversight should be kept and the results should be closely monitored, since it can help prevent or mitigate harmful consequences by allowing human judgment to intervene when necessary.

Implementing rigorous testing and evaluation procedures for AI technologies can help identify and mitigate potential unintended consequences before deployment. This includes conducting comprehensive risk assessments and impact analyses.

Lastly, encouraging collaboration between AI researchers, social scientists, ethicists, and policymakers can help identify and understand potential unintended consequences from diverse perspectives. An interdisciplinary approach can lead to more comprehensive risk assessments and informed decision-making.

Sources

• Bob Suh "5 Rules to Manage AI’s Unintended Consequences" - https://hbr.org/2021/05/5-rules-to-manage-ais-unintended-consequences
• L. Righetti, R. Madhavan and R. Chatila, "Unintended Consequences of Biased Robotic and Artificial Intelligence Systems [Ethical, Legal, and Societal Issues]," in IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 11-13, Sept. 2019, doi: 10.1109/MRA.2019.2926996.