We all know how powerful tech solutions can be and the great benefits they can bring to the world. However, until recently, innovators have often been blind to the potential harm that can come with them. Growing public concern and government initiatives to regulate are changing that. Bad practices have been called out, and tech ethics have become a mainstream conversation.
AI has brought many benefits to humanity but with it also threats. LLMs are being trained on historic data which might infuse biases that will later be reflected in the AI outcomes. See additional information about Responsible AI in this section.
By carefully considering responsible product design at the earliest stage, you can demonstrate your commitment to your future customers and help build a positive brand and reputation. ****
Considerations for privacy, security, accessibility, and sustainability should be prioritized. In addition, tech products should not be built to support or encourage harmful biases or social inequalities.
No company starts out thinking they will build a product that causes harm, however in the early days people who make technology have to navigate real-world dilemmas and make difficult trade-offs every day. This may lead to unintended consequences of digital technology. Some examples are shown below:
Source: TechTransformed
Some unintended consequences of tech have become of greater concern, for example: