There has been a rapid evolution and advancement of artificial intelligence. This has generated a lot of excitement over its many applications. However, it has also generated concerns regarding its ethical use and development, one of them being AI algorithms and their transparency.
But why does that matter?
Also Read: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Our World
Discover why clarity in AI algorithms is a necessity.
Transparency in algorithms refers to the clarity of understanding the entire decision-making process, i.e. how it reached a particular decision.
For industries such as healthcare or finance, this becomes particularly important. A healthcare professional must be able to understand an AI model’s reasoning before confirming the diagnosis.
AI is quickly becoming an important part of society. Thus, as AI transforms industries, it is important to ensure the presence of 100% transparency throughout.
Why do AI Algorithms Need Transparency
One major issue of AI is the “black box” problem. It refers to how AI algorithms can accomplish so many things that humans cannot, but we are unable to understand how.
Lack of clarity in how an output is reached can make it difficult for industry leaders and experts to trust AI.
Let’s say AI is being used for initial screening in a hiring process. If it filters out some people due to a bias, then the rejected candidates are unfairly treated. Here, transparency can allow for a more fair and suitable factor selection for the hiring process.
How Can Trust in AI Be Developed
Trust is an inherent part of society. Patients trust a doctor to provide sound medical care while holding limited knowledge themselves.
Similarly, if users are able to understand how the AI system works, there is a higher chance of accepting its solutions.
AI algorithms can be better explained by clearly highlighting the data and methodology used. This will lead to a greater adoption of AI across industries.
Legal Framework for AI Ethics
Governments are taking a forward approach to governing the transparency and ethics of AI development and use. Frameworks that discuss transparency are emerging.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) specifies transparency regulations for automated decision-making.
Firms will find it beneficial to align themselves with these regulations to showcase themselves as ethical.
Closing Thoughts
In a nutshell, transparency of AI algorithms is of utmost importance. It is not simply a matter of understanding the technical aspect of AI, but the ethical aspect. Users must be able to understand how the specific algorithms operate in order to trust it.