Governance in The Age of AI by Advocate Zarbakht Ali Khan

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Governance in the Age of AI

AI is no longer the talk of myth or science fiction. Artificial Intelligence


has already woven itself into the fabric of human lives from facial
recognition to self-driving cars. However, this exponential growth of
artificial intelligence presents a unique and nouveau challenge: how do
we govern this new and powerful technology? We cannot deny the
potential benefits of AI. It can revolutionize healthcare, optimize
resource allocation, and personalize education. Alongside these
potential benefits, potential drawbacks and pitfalls can lurk. These
potential drawbacks and downsides may include; biased embedded
algorithms, which can perpetuate discrimination; unfettered
automation, which could exacerbate unemployment; and the specter of
anonymous weapons, which raises chilling questions about the future
of warfare and the human race. The current state of AI governance
resembles a warren, a complex network of stakeholders with
conflicting interests. The National governments always need help to
keep pace with the rapidly growing and developing technology, lacking
the expertise and regulatory frameworks needed for effective oversight.

The key driver of AI innovation is the private sector, which often


ignores ethical or legal considerations and prioritizes speed and
efficiency over them. Very few companies have established internal AI
ethics boards which are self-regulatory and limited. The geopolitical
tensions that hinder a collaboration towards the development of a
unified approach towards AI governance is another pertinent challenge.
So, where do we go from here? Can we develop a human-centric AI
system, which prioritizes human well-being and societal good in its
development and deployment? Algorithmic fairness and transparency
are crucial to this end. The end itself is not lucrative and convenient for
the think tanks of these AI companies but, a regulatory framework to
this end is essential from a governance and humanitarian perspective.
Given the potential risks, a precautionary approach is essential.
Similarly, the establishment of common standards and principles are
equally essential. To this end—of effective AI governance;
collaboration between governments, industry, academia, and civil
society is required. Also, equally important, is a global dialogue among
the stakeholders from different nations internationally.
The road toward creating an effective and efficient AI governance
system will not be easy. But by fostering open discourse, prioritizing
human values, and embracing multi-stakeholder collaboration, we can
navigate through this warren and ensure that this powerful technology
serves humanity and not the other way around. Some of the steps that
we can take in the march toward this complex journey are:

• Firstly, investments in explainable AI technology (XAI) are


essential. XAI focuses on developing AI systems that can easily
be understood and explained. By understanding AI systems, we
can easily identify the process, address potential biases, and
ensure responsibility, impartiality, and transparency. So, an
investment in XAI research, understanding, and awareness is
essential.

• Secondly, establishing national and international AI ethics


boards, comprised of technical, legal, ethical, and social experts,
can provide crucial input and guidance on the development and
deployment of AI. These boards will ensure best practices by
serving as watchdogs, raising concerns and awareness, and
making recommendations.

• Thirdly, standardizing the impact assessment of AI systems is also


very essential. Standardization of AI impact assessment would
require the developers to evaluate the potential social, economic,
and environmental impacts and consequences of AI systems
before deployment. This would promote and encourage proactive
mitigation strategies and promote responsible innovation.

• Fourthly, the existing legal frameworks are not equipped to tackle


the quantum and nature of challenges posed by AI, therefore a
revamping of the existing legal frameworks is also very
necessary. A collaboration between Legal and technical experts
and the legislators and policymakers is very essential in this
regard.
• Fifthly, building public trust through public engagement of
government, and industry leaders, educational and awareness
campaigns for promoting open and transparent communication
about AI, fostering public understanding, and addressing
concerns, is paramount towards building an AI governance.

The goal should be that of marching practically on the outlined


principles, roadmaps, and frameworks, toward building an effective
and efficient AI governance. The journey towards this goal is likely to
be iterative. As AI is an ever-evolving technology, so too are its
potential challenges, risks, and benefits. An adaptive approach,
fostering a culture of continuous growth and learning can ensure that
AI remains a technological force for good, shaping a future generation
of technology that is both prosperous and just. This is like a two-way
traffic—challenging not just for the governments but equally
challenging for us, the public. Let’s promote this discussion and
demand for transparency, advocate for a principled approach, and hold
all the stakeholders responsible and accountable for ensuring effective
and efficient AI governance. Only through collective action can we
build a system that will guide us through this labyrinth of technology
and unlock its full potential for the betterment of humanity.

Advocate Zarbakht Ali Khan

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