AI's Ethical Race: Consciousness, Labour, and Bias
Entrepreneurs and scientists are racing to replicate human consciousness in AI, with large language models and generative AI reshaping daily life. However, these advancements spark ethical debates and real-world consequences, as seen in the case of OpenAI's ChatGPT and the data labelling industry.
OpenAI, a prominent AI developer, released ChatGPT in late 2022, a chatbot powered by a large language model. This technology, along with others, is transforming industries but raises concerns about ethical standards and labour practices. OpenAI partnered with Sama, a San Francisco-based company, to hire data labellers in Kenya for as little as $1.32 an hour. Meanwhile, tech evangelists often claim AI systems are self-sustaining, ignoring the human labour behind them.
Millions of underpaid workers worldwide are labelling dangerous content for large language models under harsh conditions. Sama, for instance, has faced backlash for traumatising content moderators. The use of facial recognition and biased algorithms in law enforcement and government benefits assessment has also led to discriminatory outcomes in some places. As AI technologies advance, so does the need for larger, more diverse testing datasets, pushing the boundaries of AI architecture.
The rapid development of AI technologies brings unprecedented changes and challenges. While these innovations reshape our lives, they also highlight pressing ethical concerns and labour issues. As AI continues to evolve, addressing these challenges will be crucial for a fair and responsible future.
