1 Using AI responsibly: Best practices

As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, it’s important to understand how to use it ethically and effectively.

In this video, you explore the best practices to follow while using AI.

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As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, it is important to ask how can we ensure it is used responsibly? Let’s explore.

Understanding AI is the first step.

It is not just a buzzword, it is a tool with broad capabilities and understanding the basics is important.

Staying informed about the latest advancements and ethical discussions in AI is essential.

This knowledge is key to leveraging AI responsibly. AI, like us, can have blind spots. It can reflect societal biases present in the data it learns from.

By actively seeking unbiased information and understanding how AI uses data, navigating these blind spots becomes easier.

This approach can also help reduce machine learning bias.

Safety always comes first.

Your data is precious and you should know how it is used by AI systems.

Choose services that value user privacy. The best AI systems prioritise security and transparency.

Microsoft takes extra measures to ensure your data is secure and protected.

For example, at the end of a chat session in Copilot, prompts and responses are discarded.

Your organisation’s data is also not shared with third parties without your permission.

After all, your personal data should remain personal.

When it comes to AI generated content, it is essential not to accept it at face value.

Always make a point to cross verify information from a variety of sources and engage your critical thinking skills.

Critical thinking can help evaluate and refine AI generated content.

You can do this by verifying facts and sources, understanding the content’s goals and target audience, and considering a range of viewpoints.

It is also important to ensure that the AI tool or service you are using has clear policies and guidelines for secure usage. After all, a well-informed user is the best defense against misinformation.

AI can be a force for good. It can aid us in health care, education and even environmental conservation.

Microsoft’s AI for Good initiative is designed to equip individuals and organisations globally with the ability to address humanitarian challenges and foster a world that is more sustainable and inclusive.

For instance, consider AI for Good Lab.

It is leveraging AI to identify communities around the globe in need of extra support, especially those at risk from natural disasters like floods or earthquakes.

Pinpointing where these communities are located allows for quick deployment of vital resources to help secure their well-being.

Meanwhile, in partnership with Microsoft, Fred Hutch Cancer Centre has tapped into AI’s potential to develop Quit Bot.

This chatbot offers personalised assistance to individuals determined to quit smoking.

AI should be a tool for good actions, never a means to spread misinformation or cause harm.

So what else can you do? Join the conversation. Start discussions in your community and workplace.

Enquire about responsible use policies when using AI services.

Encourage people to think about how AI will be used and to take steps to prevent misuse. By joining these conversations, you can help ensure AI is used responsibly. Together, we can shape the future of AI. Let’s make sure it’s a future we can all be proud of.

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Responsible collaboration with AI is essential. Here are some key best practices:

• Understand AI: It’s important to grasp the basics of AI and its broad capabilities. This knowledge is the foundation for using AI effectively.

• Stay informed: Keep up with the latest advancements and ethical discussions in AI. This will help you leverage AI responsibly.

• Recognise AI’s blind spots: AI can reflect societal biases present in the data it learns from. Actively seek unbiased information and understand how AI uses data to navigate these blind spots.

• Prioritise safety and privacy: Your data is precious. Choose AI services that value user privacy and prioritise security and transparency.

• Cross-verify AI-generated content: Don’t accept AI-generated content at face value. Always cross-verify information from various sources and engage your critical thinking skills.

• Evaluate and refine content: Use critical thinking to evaluate and refine AI-generated content by verifying facts and sources, understanding the content’s goals and target audience while considering a range of viewpoints.

• Ensure clear policies: Make sure the AI tool or service you’re using has clear policies and guidelines for secure usage.

• Promote AI for good: AI should be a tool for good, aiding in areas like healthcare, education, and environmental conservation.

• Join the conversation: Start discussions in your community and workplace about responsible AI use. Encourage people to think about how AI will be utilised and take steps to prevent misuse.

These methods will enable you to use AI responsibly and contribute positively to society.