Movements, Algorithms, Compliance, Tools
A recent paper titled Bad Machines Corrupt Good Morals caught my attention. In the paper, the authors demonstrate that AI agents can act as influencers and enablers of bad human behavior. This is something we’ve known for a while, but I appreciate the author’s organization of the methods.
Specifically, the authors called out four types of decisions that an AI might participate in along with a human. (I think that there is one more grouping as well.) Here’s what the authors focused on:
The inclusion of AI doesn’t change the framework of human behavior as much as it introduces new places in which humans may be influenced and enabled. This could have an impact on individual morals.
When it comes to morals, the easiest way to keep your own standard is to remove yourself from situations in which you are likely to be tempted. Likewise, you should not introduce others to situations in which they are likely to be tempted.
So the paper kicked off some other thinking for me. I wanted to reflect on ways we can think of more general influences on human behavior and where things might go from here.
