Artificial Intelligence And The Law: What You Need To Know

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Artificial intelligence has been growing in popularity in many industries, and with more and more advances in technology, it is becoming increasingly commonplace every single day. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is broadly the concept of machines having the ability to carry out tasks in a smart manner. This has led to further applications such as machine learning, which is the concept that machines can take the relevant data and learn from it.As more and more businesses are beginning to adopt various forms of artificial intelligence, it is essential to be aware of the laws and regulations surrounding these technologies. This article will cover the things you need to know surrounding AI and the law.

Do We Need Laws And Regulations For Artificial Intelligence?

Many laws govern the conduct of humans, and these often cover the machines that humans use, such as vehicles and computers. With the rise of artificial intelligence, it has opened up a question about what happens when these machines can operate alone, without any human interaction.Machine learning and artificial intelligence could lead to existing laws being violated, but who would be responsible for this if a machine breaks the law?With an increasing number of companies and individuals pushing the boundaries of what artificial intelligence is capable of, it is getting more and more critical that laws and regulations are in place and commonly understood. It is hard to imagine a world where there are no traffic laws or environmental regulations, which was the case before the industrial revolution.It is predicted that in years to come, the emergence of artificial intelligence will be looked back on as a similarly lawless era. Governments are becoming increasingly aware of the need for laws and regulations around artificial intelligence, and some discussions are already in place. If you are working with artificial intelligence or planning on getting involved with machine learning, you must understand the legalities behind the technology.

The Complications Behind Artificial Intelligence And The Legal System

Traditionally, the legal system has taken the view that software finds liability where the developer could foresee damage or was negligent. With machine learning applications, there will not be any fault from human interaction and no foreseeable harm, so traditional laws would generally say the developer is not liable.For example, if a machine learning traffic control system uses data to decide that it is more efficient to change the lights one second earlier than previously, but this leads to more drivers running a red light and causes accidents. The developer traditionally would not be liable, and this is where issues could lie with accountability and subsequently, the law needs to be developed.Some have predicted that it is unlikely that we will ever reach a point where artificial intelligence is held responsible for its actions. For this to happen, the technology would be required to be given personhood and taken to court. As the name suggests, artificial intelligence is artificial, and so the liability is meaningless.One of the only ways that artificial intelligence could hold up in a criminal courtroom would be if the developer was intending on causing harm, which would be a crime in itself.There is a debate on whether AI should be liable in the event of a machine learning application going wrong. We do not regulate other non-human behaviours, such as plants and animals. For example, a wasp is not liable for stinging a human. The legal system will likely be required to adopt some form of standard when it comes to AI applications, in which developers and manufacturers agree to abide by some predetermined ethical guidelines.

What Are The Laws Behind Artificial Intelligence?

Regulations behind artificial intelligence is a complex terrain that is uncharted territory for everyone. Many companies are embracing the opportunities that artificial intelligence and machine learning can offer them, and increasingly more businesses are blending humans and AI together in a work setting.Until recently, there were virtually no laws or regulations in place to protect people from artificial intelligence, making it a potentially dangerous technology to be working with. In May last year, 42 countries including the UK, came together to support the governance of artificial intelligence across the globe.The accord takes into consideration both the ethical and practical consequences of artificial intelligence, and all governments involved have shared values and priorities. While non-binding, these principles are the first ever to be adopted by a selection of countries, including the US, Japan, and Brazil.There is an emphasis on developing artificial intelligence in a way that respects democratic values and human rights. It highlights the importance of those using artificial intelligence being able to understand the outcome and challenge it if they disagree.While currently, there are no specific laws and regulations in place for artificial intelligence, the major corporations that are adopting the technology, such as Microsoft and Google, are focusing on self-regulation. Major governments are taking steps to define artificial intelligence principles, and it is expected that official rules and regulations will be in place in the near future.In addition to the releases in May, President Trump launched the US Artificial Intelligence Initiative, which provided his government’s first initial view on the technology.

Understanding Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is a complicated subject that is still fairly new to many. If you are interested in discovering more about artificial intelligence and machine learning, tune in to our free webinar recording.For an in-depth overview of human and artificial intelligence, the machine learning process, the benefits and risks, and the future of humans and machines at work, then sign up to our BSC Essentials in Artificial Intelligence course. This one day training course is designed for those who have an interest in artificial intelligence and how it can be implemented within organisations.The course is particularly useful for middle and senior managers in the science, engineering, finance, knowledge engineering or IT services industries. At TSG Training, we pride ourselves on offering comprehensive and successful training courses that can provide you with a good level of knowledge to implement artificial intelligence within your business. So, if you want to find out more, please call our team for free on  08000 199337, and we would be happy to discuss our AI course options and which is best for you.

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