Ethics of GenAI
- The ethics of GenAI are important to question for seemingly countless reasons and can range from minor to serious, from philosophical to practical. As GenAI technology develops, continues to learn, and becomes more sophisticated, it is imperative that human beings question the ethical implications, concerns, and considerations of artificial intelligence. Here is a quick list of questions to consider in education alone:
- How should AI-assisted work be cited?
- To what extent can you trust the accuracy of GenAI content?
- Who is developing the software and what are their motivations?
- What are the privacy considerations for students?
- How do we ensure equitable access?
Our beliefs
- We have created a dynamic set of beliefs about generative AI that will continue to develop over time. These beliefs include:
- People are personally responsible for being honest about the type and amount of GenAI tools they use – maintaining an “educator in the loop.”
- GenAI tools should be used for the betterment of society from a “do no harm” perspective, similar to doctors and physicians.
- Data and privacy policies should always be transparent and open.
- Educators should model and teach responsible GenAI use.
- Educators should always check and refer to their individual organization/company policy and state and federal regulations on GenAI use.
Academic Integrity
- Academic integrity has already become and will certainly continue to be a major GenAI concern. Evaluation systems like the AI assessment scale (AIAS) are being developed as an attempt to ensure at least some type of system is in place to promote responsible GenAI use. Although the AIAS is used for assessments, it is likely to be the first of many attempts to monitor, control, and intentionally expose GenAI use in education. APA and MLA guidelines attempt to provide guidance but currently fall short of the complexities involved with citing GenAI work. It can only be assumed that a more standardized system like the AIAS will be used/developed by larger research citation associations and eventually all work will need to be “labeled” properly. Until then, academic integrity should always be a consideration now that the genie is out of the bottle.