UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, as articulated by Saida Belouali, emphasizes the necessity of moving beyond mere principles towards actionable mechanisms to ensure ethical AI development and deployment. Saida Belouali is a professor of AI ethics at Mohammed First University and the lead expert on the RAM exercise in Morocco.

The framework promotes using the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) to facilitate the operationalization of ethical imperatives in AI practices.

The RAM is a key tool within this framework, enabling states to deploy and develop trustworthy AI. The framework is not just a set of principles but includes mechanisms for operationalization, ensuring that ethical imperatives translate into practical actions.

Use of RAM for Trustworthy AI:

The RAM provides qualitative and quantitative indicators to map a country’s AI ecosystem and assess readiness.

It identifies strengths and areas needing improvement, ensuring that ethical principles are integrated into AI development and deployment.

Operationalization and Implementation:

• Operationalization involves embedding principles and values into institutional and regulatory frameworks.
• RAM helps pinpoint where ethical principles need integration, supporting responsible AI development and usage.

Ethics and Regulation:

• Ethical deliberation involves human-centred evaluation of risks, contextual elements, and existing regulations.
• Decisions are based on ethical principles and normative rules, ensuring they align with laws and shared community norms.
• Regulations are necessary to complement ethical deliberations, addressing the legal dimension of AI governance.

Human-Centered Approach:

• Humans play a central role in assessing risks and making decisions, emphasizing the importance of ethical and normative considerations.
• As philosopher Paul Ricoeur described, ethical choices must conform to laws and institutional norms.

Regulation and Innovation Balance:

• AI regulation should adapt to the technology's rapid and unpredictable evolution without stifling innovation.
• Responsible governance involves balancing innovation with regulation to preserve rights and freedoms.
• Countries must engage in continuous debate and legislation to address new AI phenomena like social scoring, facial recognition, and intellectual property rights.

Global and Societal Impact:

• AI's rapid development necessitates urgent and adaptive regulatory measures to mitigate societal risks.
• Countries must protect their geopolitical positioning and sovereignty by engaging in responsible and informed AI governance.

Towards Balanced Regulation:

• Regulators must develop measures that promote technological progress while respecting fundamental legal principles.
• The goal is to manage unintended consequences, protect citizens, ensure fair competition, and preserve digital sovereignty.
• The complexity of AI requires regulators to be creative and adaptive in their approaches.

Commitment to Responsible AI:

• Countries following UNESCO's Recommendation develop and use AI ethically.
• Regular and ongoing assessment and modification of regulatory mechanisms are essential to safeguard fundamental rights and promote the transparent advancement of artificial intelligence.

Conclusion

UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI emphasizes a balanced approach to AI regulation, combining ethical imperatives with practical regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible and trustworthy AI development. The RAM is a crucial tool in this process, guiding states in assessing and improving their AI readiness while fostering a global commitment to ethical AI practices.

Source: unesco

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