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Decreasing human interaction as AI syste…
AI sets rules without ethical basis

Ethical AI Risks

Governance of artificial intelligence: A risk and guideline-based integrative framework

Wirtz, Weyerer & Kehl (2022)

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"In the context of ethical AI risks, two risks are of particular importance. First, AI systems may lack a legitimate ethical basis in establishing rules that greatly influence society and human relationships (Wirtz & Müller, 2019). In addition, AI-based discrimination refers to an unfair treatment of certain population groups by AI systems. As humans initially programme AI systems, serve as their potential data source, and have an impact on the associated data processes and databases, human biases and prejudices may also become part of AI systems and be reproduced (Weyerer & Langer, 2019, 2020)."(p. 10)

Entity— Who or what caused the harm

Human

Due to a decision or action made by humans

AI system

Due to a decision or action made by an AI system

Other

Due to some other reason or is ambiguous

Intent— Whether the harm was intentional or accidental

Intentional

Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal

Unintentional

Due to an unexpected outcome from pursuing a goal

Other

Without clearly specifying the intentionality

Timing— Whether the risk is pre- or post-deployment

Pre-deployment

Occurring before the AI is deployed

Post-deployment

Occurring after the AI model has been trained and deployed

Other

Without a clearly specified time of occurrence

Sub-categories (7)

AI sets rules without ethical basis

7.3 Lack of capability or robustness
AI systemOtherPost-deployment

Unfair statistical AI decisions and discrimination of minorities

1.1 Unfair discrimination and misrepresentation
AI systemUnintentionalPost-deployment

Problem of defining human values for an AI system

7.3 Lack of capability or robustness
HumanOtherPre-deployment

Misinterpretation of human value definitions/ ethics by AI systems

7.3 Lack of capability or robustness
AI systemUnintentionalOther

Incompatibility of human vs. AI value judgment due to missing human qualities

7.3 Lack of capability or robustness
AI systemUnintentionalOther

AI systems may undermine human values (e.g., free will, autonomy)

5.2 Loss of human agency and autonomy
AI systemOtherPost-deployment

Technological arms race with autonomous weapons

6.4 Competitive dynamics
OtherUnintentionalPost-deployment

Other risks from Wirtz, Weyerer & Kehl (2022) (37)

Informational and Communicational AI Risks

4.1 Disinformation, surveillance, and influence at scale
OtherIntentionalPost-deployment

Informational and Communicational AI Risks > Manipulation and control of information provision (e.g., personalised adds, filtered news)

4.1 Disinformation, surveillance, and influence at scale
OtherIntentionalPost-deployment

Informational and Communicational AI Risks > Disinformation and computational propaganda

4.1 Disinformation, surveillance, and influence at scale
HumanIntentionalPost-deployment

Informational and Communicational AI Risks > Censorship of opinions expressed in the Internet restricts freedom of expression

5.2 Loss of human agency and autonomy
OtherOtherPost-deployment

Informational and Communicational AI Risks > Endangerment of data protection through AI cyberattacks

4.2 Cyberattacks, weapon development or use, and mass harm
HumanIntentionalPost-deployment

Economic AI Risks

6.2 Increased inequality and decline in employment quality
OtherOtherPost-deployment
View all 37 risks from this paper →