Artificial Intelligence's Influence on Existence and Employment: An Examination of Its Effects
In the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), ethical considerations and data sovereignty are becoming increasingly important. Dr Te Taka Keegan, a renowned computer scientist and Māori language expert, has raised concerns about the use of Māori language data in AI models without permission, infringing on Māori data sovereignty. This issue is part of a growing worldwide discussion about indigenous data governance, with the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance being a key reference.
AI work is often outsourced to developing countries, where workplace oversight is absent and payment is often low. This practice, along with the increasing use of AI, impacts various aspects of life and work, including employment and the environment. For instance, a significant amount of the human work required for AI to function is outsourced to countries like the Philippines, which are already affected by climate change. The human work required for AI can be physically and psychologically grueling, as well as precarious.
One potential solution to these ethical challenges is fairness-focused design, using diverse, representative datasets and continuous bias monitoring and correction to mitigate discriminatory outputs. Another solution is privacy-preserving techniques, such as implementing data anonymization, secure data governance policies, and compliance frameworks that balance privacy with AI needs. Transparency and explainable AI are also crucial, with the development of algorithms that provide understandable decision rationales to users and regulators fostering trust and accountability.
Ethical governance frameworks, including ethics committees, oversight boards, clear policies, and continuous monitoring, are essential for responsible AI deployment. Technical safeguards, like Nvidia’s Llama Guard and Preamble's customizable guardrails, embed ethical rules into AI models, addressing bias, misuse, and vulnerabilities such as malicious prompt injections.
AI can affect employment through automation-induced job displacement and potentially exacerbate inequalities or human rights challenges if not carefully managed. Dr Keegan stresses the importance of fostering in-person connections to counteract AI's threats to social cohesiveness. The increased use of AI also raises concerns about data privacy, as AI systems often require large datasets, potentially infringing on individuals' privacy rights.
The regulation of data usage in AI is a significant international issue. False stories can be given credence through AI-generated endorsements of celebrities or journalists, and traffic laws weren't drafted until automobile fatalities demanded it, making it challenging to pre-emptively regulate against the potential threats posed by AI.
Dr Amanda Williamson emphasizes the importance of teaching and learning about the limitations of AI, including its tendency to hallucinate and replicate human biases. For example, in 2016, Microsoft released an AI named Tay that learned to make hateful and bigoted remarks from human interactions on social media.
In conclusion, ethical considerations shape how AI affects individuals and society, requiring multidisciplinary efforts combining technical, organizational, and regulatory approaches to ensure AI systems operate fairly, transparently, and beneficially. As AI continues to evolve, it is essential to address these ethical challenges to ensure AI benefits society equitably while minimizing harm.
References:
[1] Mitchell, M. (2025). Ethical AI: Principles for Responsible Innovation. O'Reilly Media, Inc.
[2] Morrison, A. (2025). Responsible AI: Balancing Privacy and Innovation. MIT Press.
[3] Bostrom, N. (2025). Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Oxford University Press.
[4] European Union Agency for Cybersecurity. (2025). Ethical aspects of AI and Cybersecurity. Retrieved from https://www.enisa.europa.eu/topics-eu-agency/artificial-intelligence-and-cybersecurity
[5] World Economic Forum. (2025). The Global AI Council: Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-global-ai-council-ethics-guidelines-for-trustworthy-ai
Technology advances in artificial-intelligence (AI) have brought about ethical considerations, such as data sovereignty and governance, particularly when it comes to indigenous languages like Māori. The need for privacy-preserving techniques and fairness-focused design in AI models becomes evident to maintain data integrity and mitigate discriminatory outputs.
