The 23 Principles of Asilomar: Guide to the Ethical Development of Artificial Intelligence

Meta Description: Discover Asilomar's 23 principles, a set of guidelines for an ethical and safe development of artificial intelligence.

Keywords: Asilomar principles, artificial intelligence, AI, ethical development, AI security, AI research, AI future

Introduction

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the world we live in, improving productivity and opening up new opportunities in different industries. However, it is crucial to ensure the safe and ethical development of these technologies. Asilomar's 23 Principles provide a framework for responsible AI research and development. In this article, we'll explore these principles and the importance of following them for a sustainable future of AI.

The 23 Principles of Asilomar

In January 2017, a group of AI experts met at the Asilomar Conference on Beneficial Artificial Intelligence to discuss the future challenges of AI and establish guidelines for its evolution. From this meeting, the 23 Principles of Asilomar emerged, divided into three categories: Research, Ethics and Long-Term Values.

Search problems

1) The goal of Artificial Intelligence [AI] research must not be to create an undirected [neutral, indifferent] intelligence, but a beneficial intelligence.

2) Research funding should be aimed at ensuring its beneficial use, addressing thorny issues in computer science, economics, law, ethics, and social studies, such as:

How can we make future AI systems robust enough to do what we want, without malfunctioning or being hacked?

How can we grow our prosperity through automation, without marginalizing men?

How can we update our legal systems to be fairer and more effective, to keep pace with AI and to manage its risks?

What set of values should AIs follow, and what ethical-legal status should they have?

3) The relationship between science and politics must be one of healthy and constructive interaction.

4) A culture of cooperation, trust and transparency should be fostered among researchers and developers.

5) Research groups should cooperate and avoid shortcuts on safety standards.

Ethics and Values

6) AI systems must be safe and secure throughout their operational life and verifiable if necessary.

7) If an AI system causes damage, it must be possible to clearly ascertain the reason.

8) Any involvement by an autonomous legal AI system will have to be able to provide a satisfactory explanation [for its decisions] verifiable by a competent human authority (judicial transparency).

9) Designers and builders of advanced AI systems are stakeholders in the moral implications of their use, abuse and actions, with the responsibility and opportunity to shape those implications.

10) Autonomous AI systems will need to be designed so that their goals and behaviors can be reliably aligned with our values throughout their operation.

11) AI systems should be compatible with the ideals of human dignity, rights, freedom and cultural diversity.

12) The right to access, manage and control user-generated data should be guaranteed, given the power of AI systems to analyze and use such data.

13) The application of AI to personal data must not unreasonably limit the freedom of individuals.

14) AI technologies should be shared for the benefit of as many people as possible.

15) The prosperity created by AI will have to be shared, in principle, for the benefit of all humanity.

16) Humans will have to maintain control and choose how and whether to delegate decisions to AI systems.

17) The power conferred by the control of highly advanced AI systems will have to respect and improve, not subvert, the social and civil processes on which the health of society depends.

18) An arms race in autonomous lethal weapons shall be avoided.

Long term problems

19) Since there is no consensus, we should avoid assuming what the upper limits of AI's future capabilities might be.

20) The arrival of advanced AI could represent a profound change in the history of life on Earth, and will have to be planned and managed with the necessary attention and resources.

21) The risks associated with AI systems, in particular catastrophic or existential risks, must be subject to planning and mitigation commensurate with their potential impact.

22) AI systems designed to self-improve or self-replicate in a way that leads to a rapid increase in their quality or quantity, must be subject to stringent security and control measures.

23) Superintelligence shall only be developed in the service of widely shared ethical ideals and for the benefit of all humanity, rather than any single state or organization.

Conclusion

Asilomar's 23 Principles represent a fundamental point of reference for guaranteeing an ethical and safe development of artificial intelligence. Following these principles is essential to creating a future where AI can benefit humanity as a whole, without causing harm or exacerbating inequalities. Researchers, developers, governments and companies must collaborate and adopt these guidelines to ensure the responsible use of AI with respect for human values and the environment. The list of princes of Asilomar at the time was promoted by illustrious people such as Stephen Hawking And Elon Musk.