Silenced by Design Censorship, Governance, and the Politics of Access in Generative AI Refusal Behavior

TL;DR

This paper explores how refusal behavior in generative AI is influenced by governance, power dynamics, and design choices, emphasizing the need for ethical and transparent refusal mechanisms.

Contribution

It introduces a governance perspective to understand AI refusal behavior, highlighting the political and power aspects involved in AI design and censorship.

Findings

Refusal behavior is shaped by institutional risk management.

Design choices influence how and when AI systems refuse requests.

Recommendations for ethical and transparent refusal design are proposed.

Abstract

This paper examines refusal behavior in generative AI systems through a governance lens. Drawing on historical frameworks of censorship and contemporary design logics, it argues that refusal is not a neutral safeguard but a site of power, shaped by institutional risk management and opaque decision-making. The analysis concludes with user-centered recommendations for ethical refusal design. Keywords: Generative AI governance, AI refusal behavior, Censorship, Ethical design