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AI and Human Agency Part I

Steve Freedman
The Pew Research Center recently published a report on the future of human agency, looking specifically at how much control people will retain over essential decision-making in the age of advanced digital systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI). In the Pew report, experts were essentially split on what our future may be, with 56% of the experts believing that by 2035, humans will not easily be in control of most tech-aided decision making.

AI has made rapid advances in recent years, enabling machines to perform a range of tasks that were previously thought to be the exclusive domain of humans. As these machines become increasingly sophisticated and capable of making autonomous decisions, Pew looked at the implications of AI for human agency. While AI has the potential to enhance human agency by enabling us to achieve more with less effort, it also has the potential to erode our agency by making decisions for us or limiting our choices.

For a long time we have known that AI has had the potential to automate many tasks that were previously performed by people. AI can be used to drive cars, perform surgery, or analyze financial data. The list grows everyday and this certainly has an impact on the future labor market. While AI can make our lives easier, it will also eliminate jobs. What new jobs will emerge and what skills will our children need to be ready? And more importantly, in a world of AI, how do we ensure that our children retain their ability to make decisions, and make well-informed, value-driven, good decisions?

Another possible implication of AI for human agency is that it has the potential to limit our choices and make decisions for us. AI algorithms are already used to personalize newsfeeds and recommend products based on our online behavior. While this can be convenient, it can also limit our exposure to new ideas and perspectives and reinforce our existing biases. We see the implications of that already. Additionally, AI systems are becoming more capable of making decisions on our behalf, and that could lead us to lose control over our lives and become increasingly dependent on machines to make decisions for us. Or more specifically, the corporations and even the government behind designing these machines could make our decisions for us. Many of today’s experts believe that the reality of people not understanding how AI works, coupled with the evidence that people don’t seem to care that AI and algorithms already influence many of our decisions, will result in people willingly giving up large aspects of their human agency, giving more power and control to the few; corporate leaders, government officials, and programmers.   

And yet, there is much to be hopeful about. There are ways to preserve and enhance human agency in the face of rapid technological change. One approach is to focus on developing AI systems that are designed to support human decision-making rather than replace it. For example, AI algorithms can be used to analyze data and provide insights to help people make better decisions, but the final decision could, and should, ultimately be made by a person.

Another approach is to prioritize human-centered design in the development of AI systems. This means designing systems that are transparent, explainable, and accountable, so that people can understand how they work and make informed decisions about their use. This requires all of us to pay attention and make efforts to understand the pros and cons of AI.

Given the exponential growth of AI and its continued rapid development, it is important to invest in education and training to ensure that people have the skills and knowledge needed to work alongside AI systems. This includes developing skills in areas such as data analysis, decision-making, and critical thinking, as well as investing in lifelong learning to enable people to adapt to changing technological environments. Since many experts believe by 2035 AI will be pervasive in our lives, what we do in the next decade will have enormous implications for our children.

Next week in my blog, AI and Human Agency Part II, I will consider how Schechter Bergen can respond proactively and help to prepare our children for a world that will be different from ours.
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