Awkward Intelligence

Katharina Zweig's Awkward Intelligence offers a guide to where we should use artificial intelligence and where we should not, exploring the basics of AI, AI ethics, and AI design. She explains how AI is good at processing vast quantities of data but bad at making judgments about people, and presents a toolkit for designing AI systems. She also explores the ethics of AI and how we can shape the process.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 25 October 2022
Publisher: MIT Press Ltd

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming an integral part of our lives, making decisions about, with, and for us. While AI is often touted as being more "objective" than humans, it is important to understand its limitations and potential biases. In her book, Awkward Intelligence, AI expert Katharina Zweig offers readers an inside story of how AI systems are designed and how they can be used to make better decisions. Zweig explains that AI is good at processing vast quantities of data, but it is bad at making judgments about people. She presents the good and the bad of AI, including its accuracy in sifting through billions of websites to offer up the best results for our search queries and its ability to beat reigning champions in games of chess and Go. However, Zweig also shows how inaccurate AI is, for example, at predicting whether someone with a previous conviction will become a repeat offender. This is no better than simple guesswork, yet it is used to determine peoples futures. Zweig introduces readers to the basics of AI and presents a toolkit for designing AI systems. She explains algorithms, big data, and computer intelligence, and how they relate to one another. Finally, she explores the ethics of AI and how we can shape the process.

One of the key challenges of AI is its ability to make decisions that have a significant impact on people's lives. For example, AI systems are being used to make decisions about hiring, firing, and promotion, as well as to make decisions about healthcare, finance, and transportation. These decisions can have a profound impact on individuals and society as a whole. However, AI systems are not always transparent, and it can be difficult to understand how they make their decisions. This can lead to discrimination and bias, as well as to unfair outcomes.

To address these challenges, Zweig proposes a set of principles for designing AI systems. These principles include transparency, accountability, and fairness. Transparency means that AI systems should be able to explain their decisions to humans. Accountability means that AI systems should be held responsible for their decisions. Fairness means that AI systems should treat all individuals equally.

Zweig also suggests that we should use AI to improve our lives, rather than to replace humans. For example, AI can be used to automate repetitive tasks, such as data entry and customer service. This can free up human workers to focus on more complex tasks, which can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction. However, it is important to ensure that AI systems are not used to replace human workers in jobs that require human skills, such as creativity and empathy.

Another challenge of AI is its impact on privacy. AI systems collect vast amounts of data about individuals, and this data can be used to track their behavior and make predictions about their future behavior. This can be a privacy concern, particularly for individuals who are vulnerable or marginalized. Zweig suggests that we should use AI to protect privacy, rather than to exploit it.

To address this challenge, Zweig proposes a set of principles for protecting privacy. These principles include consent, transparency, and accountability. Consent means that individuals should be able to give their consent to the collection and use of their data. Transparency means that individuals should be able to understand how their data is being used. Accountability means that individuals should be held responsible for the use of their data.

In addition to these principles, Zweig suggests that we should use AI to address social and environmental challenges. For example, AI can be used to monitor and predict natural disasters, and to develop new technologies that can help to reduce our carbon footprint. However, it is important to ensure that AI systems are not used to exploit or harm individuals or the environment.

Finally, Zweig suggests that we should use AI to improve our understanding of the world. AI can be used to analyze large amounts of data and to develop new insights and theories. This can help us to make better decisions about the future, and to address social and environmental challenges.

In conclusion, artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that can be used to improve our lives, but it is important to understand its limitations and potential biases. By using AI to improve our lives, rather than to replace humans, we can create a more equitable and sustainable future. However, it is important to ensure that AI systems are transparent, accountable, and fair, and that they are used to protect privacy and address social and environmental challenges.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780262047463