The social dilemma in artificial intelligence development and why we have to solve it

TL;DR

This paper discusses the social dilemma faced by AI developers in adopting ethical practices and argues that professionalizing AI development, inspired by medicine, is essential to resolve ethical crises.

Contribution

It defines the social dilemma in AI ethics and proposes professionalization, using medicine as a model, as a solution to promote ethical AI development.

Findings

Identifies social dilemma as a barrier to ethical AI adoption

Proposes professionalization of AI development inspired by medicine

Highlights the need for systemic change in AI development practices

Abstract

While the demand for ethical artificial intelligence (AI) systems increases, the number of unethical uses of AI accelerates, even though there is no shortage of ethical guidelines. We argue that a possible underlying cause for this is that AI developers face a social dilemma in AI development ethics, preventing the widespread adaptation of ethical best practices. We define the social dilemma for AI development and describe why the current crisis in AI development ethics cannot be solved without relieving AI developers of their social dilemma. We argue that AI development must be professionalised to overcome the social dilemma, and discuss how medicine can be used as a template in this process.