Navigating the Ethical Dilemmas of AI

Contact: Shelby Cefaratti-Bertin, 254-710-1961
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As use of artificial intelligence (AI) expands, a Baylor University professor stresses the importance of approaching emerging technology with an ethical perspective. In an interview on the Baylor Connections podcast, Pablo Rivas Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science and site director for the Center on Responsible Artificial Intelligence and Governance (CRAIG) at Baylor, highlights the major ethical dilemmas caused by AI and how Baylor’s new strategic plan, Baylor in Deeds, aligns with the mission to solve these challenges through a moral lens. 

One of the central Commitments of Baylor in Deeds focuses on a broadening interdisciplinary research and impact, specifically naming the Human-Technology Interface as an imperative. Rivas said that Baylor, as a Christian Research 1 university, is in a unique position to look at AI as having a moral and a spiritual dimension and offer an ethical voice on how AI is used and how it is shared with students and humanity in general.

“In many ways, I believe that here at Baylor, the virtues of honesty and justice are part of the educational experience,” Rivas said. “And that's where Baylor's faith-based mission really aligns with the future of AI research and development. I see Baylor working with faculty across different disciplines, not only engineering and computer science but philosophy, theology, psychology, biology and many, many others, tackling questions that are important on how technology can enhance rather than diminish human dignity.” 

On Baylor Connections, Rivas explains that AI is “a broad idea that focuses on creating machines or software that can perform tasks that typically require some type of human intelligence.” These tasks can include understanding language, recognizing images or making complex decisions.

AI’s three ethical dilemmas

It is through these humanistic behaviors that the most significant ethical dilemmas or aspects are found. These three aspects are fairness, accountability and transparency – or “FAT” – as Rivas refers to them.

• Fairness

Analyzing the fairness of AI programs helps ensure they do not discriminate across race, gender, socioeconomic status and other categories “that are important to us as a society,” Rivas said. However, establishing fairness isn’t always linear. Rivas said that this process involves testing systems to make sure their performance is considered “fair” in their specific needed applications. 

• Accountability 

Accountability is particularly important as emerging technologies increase in scope and power because it’s important to clarify who is responsible when systems make mistakes. One question still being asked by Rivas and other researchers is: “Is a developer responsible or the organization or the end user [responsible], or is it a shared responsibility, and what does that imply?”

• Transparency

With transparency, Rivas said “people should know why AI makes certain decisions,” not necessarily the exact details of how AI technology works. 

“As long as you understand why a decision is made, and there's a degree of interpretability, that can help people trust more and verify the results that AI is providing,” Rivas said. “These help us create a robust governance and ensure that these principles are upheld and have some support for our society.”

While these ethical dilemmas are daunting, Rivas uses his research to provide industry partners and developers with solutions grounded in moral perspectives, using a multitude of interdisciplinary approaches. Creating opportunities for cooperation and discussion among other leaders in the ethical and technological realm is one way Rivas sees AI being handled responsibly. In his work with CRAIG, he collaborates with other members of academia from Baylor, Ohio State University, Rutgers University and Northeastern University to create ethical solutions and promote them to the technology industry. 

“Each of these institutions brings their strengths in different areas like AI safety, robustness, ethics and governance,” Rivas said. “The ultimate goal is to create a space where academic and industry professionals work side by side to solve real problems and challenges in AI.”

Baylor Ethics Initiative

Rivas names other solutions to AI’s ethical dilemmas, emphasizing the benefit of collaboration across disciplines and how it aligns with Baylor in Deed’s commitment to interdisciplinary research. Rivas highlights the Baylor Ethics Initiative as a community of scholars and practitioners who explore how Christian beliefs and practices fit into the conversation of social, political and economic systems, including the technological realm. 

“The goal of the group is to inspire research and dialogue among faculty and staff navigating ethical challenges,” Rivas said. 

As an example, he is collaborating with Neil Messer, Ph.D., professor of theological bioethics in the Department of Religion at Baylor, to co-lead the AI and Data Ethics Research Group. They focus on how data-driven AI technologies affect society at large, particularly concerning privacy, fairness and issues of the common good. Rivas said other research groups are taking the initiative as well, including focuses on bioethics, ethics and leadership and global ethics.

“I think we have good momentum, and Baylor is poised to make some impact in the next few months and years,” Rivas said.

ABOUT PABLO RIVAS, PH.D

Pablo Rivas, Ph.D., serves as an assistant professor in Baylor's School of Engineering and Computer Science and an expert in emerging technologies and ethics. With both a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering and a Master of Divinity degree from Baylor’s Truett Seminary, he is uniquely positioned to blend his perspective on faith and ethics with the technological realm. In addition to being a widely published researcher and author, Rivas is the site director for the Center on Responsible Artificial Intelligence and Governance at Baylor, also known as CRAIG, the Executive Director of the Central Texas Cyber Program and also serves as the co-convener of the Data Ethics and AI work group in the Baylor Ethics Initiative.

LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION 

Listen to the full conversation with Pablo Rivas on the Baylor Connections podcast. 

ABOUT BAYLOR CONNECTIONS

Baylor Connections with host Derek Smith goes in depth each week with Baylor University leaders, professors and more, discussing important topics in higher education, research and student life. Baylor Connections airs on Fridays at 11 a.m. CT on KWBU 103.3FM in Waco. The podcast also is available online or by subscribing to Baylor Connections on iTunes.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu. 

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY  

Baylor ECS is advancing as a premier School of Engineering and Computer Science in research and education with a commitment to Christian values. Majors include bioinformatics, computer science, data science, cybersecurity, computer engineering, electrical and computer engineering, general engineering and mechanical engineering. ECS offers a number of graduate and PhD programs. We stand out from the crowd through Christian commitment, R1 research, a strong community, personalized career support, expert accessibility, and leading practical experience. Visit the ECS website to learn more and follow on Instagram and Facebook.