Session 1: Key concerns about using Generative AI – 45 minutes

1 Using Generative AI ethically and responsibly

In the centre,of the picture is a hand, and on the palm is an illuminated scales of justice. On the left side, there is an icon representing AI, with circuit lines and chat symbols. On the right side, there is an icon representing human intelligence, depicted by a brain with similar chat symbols. An arrow points from the human brain to the GenAI icon.

You will remember from the first course that GenAI tools are statistical probability tools trained on vast quantities of data and driven by powerful technology. They do not check the truth or validity of their outputs, and this has led to a number of concerns about their use. We introduced these in the first course Understanding Generative AI and will consider them further here.

Activity icon GenAI tools being used unethically or irresponsibly

Timing: Allow 5 minutes

From your study of the first course, or your knowledge from the general media about GenAI tools, what are some of the concerns which may lead to GenAI tools being used unethically or irresponsibly?

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Discussion

There are a number of concerns about the use of GenAI tools (and other AI tools) including the risk of them producing incorrect or inaccurate outputs (also called hallucinations), their explainability, the digital divide, the deskilling of humans, legal implications, data protection issues, bias, ethical considerations and environmental concerns. This course will consider all of these in more detail. As the technology continues to develop at pace, you may have also identified other concerns which have developed since this course was written.

The next section will consider the first six of these concerns: hallucinations, inexplicability, digital poverty, deskilling, legal implications and data protection.

Introduction

2 Some key concerns about Generative AI tools