Brave: what it means to be an AI Ethicist

Abstract

Despite there being a strong call for responsible technology, the path towards putting ethics into action is still yet to be fully understood. To help guide the implementation of ethics, we have seen the rise of a new professional title; the AI Ethicist. However, it is still unclear what the role and skill set of this new profession must include. The purpose of this piece is to offer a preliminary definition of what it means to be an AI Ethicist by first examining the concept of an ethicist in the context of artificial intelligence, followed by exploring what responsibilities are added to the role in industry specifically, and ending on the fundamental characteristic that underlies it all: bravery.

A Virtue-Based Framework to Support Putting AI Ethics into Practice

“…But AI applications that involve personal data, that are part of human-computer interaction or that are used on a grand scale clearly have ethical implications that can be addressed by virtue ethics. In the theoretical process of transitioning from an "uncultivated" to a morally habituated state, "technomoral virtues" like civility, courage, humility, magnanimity and others can be fostered and acquired (Vallor, 2016;Harris 2008a;Kohen et al, 2019;Gambelin, 2020;Sison et al, 2017;Neubert, 2017;Harris 2008b;Ratti & Stapleford, 2021). In philosophy, virtue ethics traditionally comprises cardinal virtues, namely fortitude, justice, prudence and moderation.…”

What does it mean to be an AI Ethicist: An ontology of existing roles

“…Gambelin states that an ethicist "is an individual with a robust knowledge of ethics who possesses the capacity to apply such abstract concepts to concrete situations" [12]. She argues that an AI ethicist has the responsibility and the ability to do this work for AI systems.…”

“…She argues that an AI ethicist has the responsibility and the ability to do this work for AI systems. Gambelin elaborates that an AI ethicist in industry needs to also be aware of existing policy work, have experience in business management and possess excellent communication skills [12]. Moreover, Gambelin argues that the most important characteristics of an AI ethicist in industry is being brave [12].…”

“…Gambelin elaborates that an AI ethicist in industry needs to also be aware of existing policy work, have experience in business management and possess excellent communication skills [12]. Moreover, Gambelin argues that the most important characteristics of an AI ethicist in industry is being brave [12]. According to Gambelin an AI ethicist needs to be brave because they often need to "shoulder responsibility" for potential negative impacts of AI technology in absence of any legal lines of accountability.…”

“…According to Gambelin an AI ethicist needs to be brave because they often need to "shoulder responsibility" for potential negative impacts of AI technology in absence of any legal lines of accountability. They are also often the ones who need to voice ethical implications in groups where their opinion is not always welcomed [12]. Moss and Metcalf conducted an ethnographic study to understand the challenges and opportunities for individuals who are working in emerging roles within the fields of AI ethics or responsible AI [16].…”