HELLO THERE! Virginia Dignum – Professor of Responsible AI

She is a member of the UN AI Panel, which has developed guidelines on how to manage new technologies globally. But what about the smallest businesses, and what is important to consider as a small business owner? Virginia Dignum, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at Umeå University, explains.

What is responsible artificial intelligence (AI)?

– The starting point is that AI has an impact on society, and that systems need to be developed ethically. This includes developing systems that are robust, reliable and transparent, with clear processes to deal with any errors.

What is important for small businesses to consider when using and developing AI?

– Small businesses should only use and develop artificial intelligence that follows established guidelines for responsible AI. This makes the work easier, avoids mistakes and ensures that the systems are reliable. The easiest way is to follow EU guidelines, for example the OECD has a good website with concrete steps to follow.

– However, as it is still difficult to determine the quality of different AI systems, small business owners should ask questions about the systems before using them. For example, what kind of data has been used to train the system, how the system has been tested, whether it can be used in multiple contexts, and what happens in the event of a crash.

Are there contradictions between strict regulation and innovation in the field?

– No, it doesn’t. AI is not in conflict with innovation, quite the opposite. Take the car for example, no one wants to use it if it doesn’t have brakes, seatbelts or airbags. All that is there to protect us, and says nothing about the fact that the car’s engine cannot be very innovative. The same is true with AI. We need to make sure that the engine, i.e. the AI systems and algorithms, are as good as possible.

– Regulations stimulate innovation by ‘forcing’ companies to come up with new ideas on how to develop systems that are both efficient and responsible.

Could even responsible AI work as a competitive advantage?

– Definitely. Just as organic egg producers brand themselves as eco-friendly to differentiate themselves from those who are not. By prioritizing ethical and fair aspects of AI solutions, companies can create a unique identity and attract customers who value responsible technology.

What is your advice to Swedish policymakers to encourage responsible AI in business and other sectors?

– It is important to work with carrots, not just sticks, when it comes to AI development. Therefore, policymakers should create incentives that encourage companies to use AI responsibly. For example, companies that have energy-efficient systems can get some tax breaks. And AI systems that guarantee fairness or transparency could be prioritized in public procurement.

What are your hopes for AI development in the near future?

– I hope that the future will bring more inclusive, fair and energy-efficient AI systems. It is important that small businesses, developers and policy makers take responsibility for creating ethical and sustainable systems themselves, rather than relying on the big tech companies.

Contact virginia.dignum@umu.se

More about Virginia Dignum
Virginia Dignum is originally from Portugal and is Professor of Responsible AI at Umeå University, where she has been for six years. She leads the AI Policy Lab, which is an interdisciplinary lab working on and researching AI governance and AI policy. For the past 20 years, her research has mainly focused on the impact of developing intelligent systems and how it affects society, as well as how we can develop them to make them more trustworthy and accountable. In 2020, she was nominated for AI Swede of the Year for her work.

Read also:
Report on the guidelines developed by the UN AI Panel

OECD Guidelines for Responsible AI

Hello there! Magnus Mähring – expert on artificial intelligence