From ancient medical ethics to modern AI challenges, the journey of consent represents one of humanity's most fascinating ethical evolutions. In my latest blog post, I explore how we've moved from medical paternalism to a new frontier where AI capabilities force us to rethink consent.
The "consent gap" in AI is real: while we can approve initial data use, AI systems can generate countless unforeseen applications of our personal information. It's like signing a blank check without knowing all possible amounts that could be filled in.
Should we reimagine consent for the AI age? Perhaps we need dynamic consent systems that evolve alongside AI capabilities, similar to how healthcare transformed from physician-centered authority to patient autonomy.
Curious to hear your thoughts: how can we balance technological innovation with meaningful user sovereignty over digital identity?
@meg, one of the best researchers in AI ethics, makes a critical point about autonomy: fully autonomous systems carry unknowable risks because they operate on computer logic rather than human logic.
The solution? Build systems that support & assist rather than override human decisions.
I highly recommend reading the blog post written by Meg, @evijit@sasha and @giadap. They define different levels of agent autonomy & provide a values-based analysis of risks, benefits, and uses of AI agents to help you make better decisions.
π₯ The AI Agent hype is real! This blog post deep dives into everything you need to know before deploying them: from key definitions to practical recommendations. A must-read for anyone building the future of autonomous systems.
π Key insight: A clear table breaking down the 5 levels of AI agents - from simple processors to fully autonomous systems. Essential framework for understanding where your agent stands on the autonomy spectrum
βοΈ Deep analysis of 15 core values reveals critical trade-offs: accuracy, privacy, safety, equity & more. The same features that make agents powerful can make them risky. Understanding these trade-offs is crucial for responsible deployment
π― 6 key recommendations for the road ahead: - Create rigorous evaluation protocols - Study societal effects - Understand ripple effects - Improve transparency - Open source can make a positive difference - Monitor base model evolution
π«...And we're live!π« Seasonal newsletter from ethicsy folks at Hugging Face, exploring the ethics of "AI Agents" https://huggingface.co/blog/ethics-soc-7 Our analyses found: - There's a spectrum of "agent"-ness - *Safety* is a key issue, leading to many other value-based concerns Read for details & what to do next! With @evijit , @giadap , and @sasha
π€π€ π» Speaking of AI agents ... ...Is easier with the right words ;)
My colleagues @meg@evijit@sasha and @giadap just published a wonderful blog post outlining some of the main relevant notions with their signature blend of value-informed and risk-benefits contrasting approach. Go have a read!