ETHICS AND SOCIETAL IMPACT

A SIMPLE ETHICAL REVIEW CHECKLIST A checklist will not make decisions for you, but it reminds you to ask the important questions. Before launch, ask who could be harmed and how, and whether they could notice and object. Ask what personal data is used, whether it is needed, and how it is protected. Ask whether the system's limits are clearly stated to users, including when they are talking to a machine. Ask whether a person can review and reverse important decisions. Ask whether the system has been tested on varied inputs, not only the easy ones. Ask what the plan is if something goes wrong, and who is responsible for carrying it out. Record the answers in writing and revisit them when the system changes. WHEN RULES ARE UNCLEAR Laws and standards for artificial intelligence are still being written in many places, and they differ from country to country. Rules about data protection, consumer protection, and product safety may apply even when no rule mentions agents by name. When the rules are unclear, a reasonable approach is to follow the stricter of the plausible interpretations, document your reasoning, and consult a qualified professional. Remember that something can be legal and still be unwise, and the reverse can also happen. Ethical practice asks what is right as well as what is allowed.