The ethics of technology innovation: a double-edged sword?

Abstract

We discuss the dilemma that while AI is considered as one of the most powerful engines that exist today to drive innovation, at the same time, however, rapid application of AI also has the potential to further increase inequalities and societal harm. This makes that we are being confronted with the question whether today’s amazing tech innovations may ultimately not bring limited benefits to the weaker members of society who need this kind of innovation the most. As such, do we need to slow down tech innovation to ensure that not more (and possibly new) unethical outcomes emerge over time? We note that the pursuit of tech innovation has been advocated primarily to optimize productivity, and, hence, economic growth. This pursuit represents, however, a narrow perspective on the good that AI could produce. Therefore, we argue that we need to adopt a less narrow perspective on what optimization means using tech innovation in ways that optimizes a diversity of human interests. By adopting such broader perspective, we propose an integrative approach where we start from the idea that we need to continue pushing tech innovation, but in combination with regulating innovation efforts and installing a stronger sense of moral awareness and responsibility among those in charge of the tech innovation journey. We conclude with outlining recommendations that can help promote this integrative approach, including the combination of self- and government regulation, promoting training efforts to establish more responsible leadership, and encouraging efforts to bring AI faster to the people.