Teaching Robots Right from Wrong While We’re Still Figuring It Out -By James E. Francis CEO of Paradigm Asset Management | Founder of Artificial Integrity and BlackChat Ai
Let’s be honest: the idea of ethical AI is like trying to teach a dog quantum physics while we’re still arguing over what a bone is. We’re here in 2024, attempting to code morals into machines when we can’t even agree on the basics of right and wrong among ourselves. It’s as if humanity woke up one day, looked around, and said, “You know what’s missing? Robots that make morally ambiguous decisions, just like us!”
Programming Morals in an Immoral World
When we talk about “ethical AI,” what are we really discussing? Teaching robots to play nice in a world where systemic biases are the norm? We’ve got AI that can diagnose diseases, optimize markets, and even write poetry, but when it comes to recognizing the difference between fairness and injustice, it’s about as clueless as a cat chasing its own tail.
Imagine if Dick Gregory were here to watch this spectacle. He’d probably chuckle, “So, we’re teaching machines how to be ethical? Maybe we should try that on Congress first.” And he’d have a point. We’re investing billions to make sure AI doesn’t hurt our feelings, but we can’t seem to put the same energy into addressing homelessness, systemic racism, or climate change.
The Human Problem in AI Ethics
At its core, AI reflects the society that creates it. If the system that designs AI is rife with biases, then the resulting AI will also be biased — no matter how many ethical frameworks we try to code in. James Baldwin once wrote, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” If our algorithms are built in the image of a deeply flawed society, how can they be expected to serve as paragons of virtue?
The absurdity runs deep. We expect algorithms to be more just than the humans who created them. It’s as if we’re trying to teach our kids to be better than we are but using the same old rulebook of prejudices and pitfalls.
Ethical AI or Just PR?
It’s fair to wonder whether all this talk of “ethical AI” is just good PR — tech companies trying to appear more humane while racing to get their products to market. Think of the irony: the same companies that have profited from biased algorithms and data collection practices are now selling us “ethical AI” as the next frontier of innovation.
If Baldwin were around today, he might note that trying to code fairness into AI without addressing human inequities is like trying to wash away blood with more blood. It’s an illusion of progress, not real change. It’s an attempt to make our technologies “nicer” without confronting the harsh realities of the systems that birthed them.
Real Ethics Start with Real Humanity
The real ethical challenge isn’t teaching AI right from wrong; it’s teaching ourselves. If we want AI that understands fairness, we first need a society that practices it. Until then, ethical AI will remain as aspirational as it is ironic — an ambitious, if not slightly tragic, experiment in morality.
Conclusion
The push for ethical AI isn’t inherently bad, but it can’t be detached from the human context it’s born from. As we program robots to be fairer, we must also ask ourselves if we’re willing to do the same. Because in the end, the most ethical system we can build is still the one reading this blog right now: you, me, us — humans.
About the Author: James E. Francis
James E. Francis is a visionary leader and entrepreneur at the forefront of technology, finance, and social impact. As CEO of Paradigm Asset Management Co., LLC, he has over 30 years of experience revolutionizing investment strategies with a focus on diversity, innovation, and ethics.
James is also the founder of BlackChatAI and Artificial Integrity, two groundbreaking initiatives that aim to make AI development more inclusive and ethical. BlackChatAI is an educational platform dedicated to empowering the Black community by providing culturally relevant resources, training, and advocacy in AI. Artificial Integrity champions the creation of AI systems that enhance human values and adapt to specific cultural contexts.
Driven by a commitment to social justice and equity, James is shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for AI.
Connect with James:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jamesefrancis
Learn more:
- BlackChatAI: www.blackchatai.com
- Artificial Integrity: www.artificialintegrity.ai
