As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, there is a growing recognition that the public can and should play an important role in shaping how AI products are developed. Here are some of the key ways the general public is impacting the evolution of AI:
Providing Feedback
Product teams rely on feedback from real-world users to improve their AI systems. The public essentially trains AI services through their engagement and responses.
By providing both explicit feedback and implicit behavioral signals, the public guides companies toward developing AI that better serves people’s needs and tackles pain points. Constructive feedback helps steer products away from objectionable or unethical outcomes.
Advocating Values
Diverse advocacy groups have formed to lobby for certain values and ethical considerations around AI. For example, racial justice groups have called for curbing algorithmic bias, disability advocates have argued for inclusive AI, and organizations like the ACLU caution against overreach of AI surveillance.
This public pressure can shape industry standards and government policies around AI in line with societal values.
Better communication channels are still needed to enable constructive public participation though.
Supporting Responsible Innovation
The public increasingly factors AI ethics into their purchasing and platform preferences. People may boycott companies seen as irresponsible with AI or choose alternatives aligned with their values.
Money and attention can flow toward supporting responsible AI innovation. However, more transparency is needed to empower the public through their consumer choices.
Participating in Governance
As AI becomes more impactful, the public is getting a seat at the table for governance decisions. Multi-stakeholder initiatives like the Partnership on AI bring together companies, academics, NGOs and the public.
Diverse perspectives lead to healthier constraints and oversight of the AI industry. Better communication channels are still needed to enable constructive public participation though.
While AI developers hold a key role and responsibility, meaningful input from the broader public is essential to steer these powerful technologies toward positive outcomes.
Companies should proactively seek out and integrate external feedback in their AI design, testing and deployment. The public voice provides an important balancing force amidst the breakneck pace of AI innovation.
