Statutory Professions in AI Governance and Explainable AI
1. AI Regulation and Challenges
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of various sectors, influencing decision-making processes that affect health, safety, and individual rights. However, the deployment of AI systems has also led to intentional and accidental harms, raising significant concerns regarding accountability and governance. As regulatory frameworks evolve, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive governance structure that ensures the safe and ethical use of AI technologies.
Current regulatory efforts are fragmented, with a lack of consensus on the methodologies necessary to deliver safe AI. While existing legislation provides a foundation, it often falls short of addressing the complexities introduced by AI technologies. The focus has predominantly been on corporate accountability, which is inherently limited due to the structure of corporations that often shield individuals from personal liability. This gap in accountability necessitates a shift towards a model that emphasizes individual responsibility, particularly among professionals involved in AI development and deployment.
The integration of Explainable AI (XAI) into regulatory frameworks is gaining traction as a potential solution to enhance accountability. XAI aims to create AI systems that provide understandable and interpretable outputs, allowing stakeholders to comprehend the decision-making processes of these systems.
2. The Role of Statutory Professions: AI governance
Legislation regulates statutory professions, such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers, due to their significant impact on public health, safety, and rights. These professionals adhere to strict codes of conduct and are held accountable for their decisions. To similarly regulate individuals involved in AI development, we propose introducing a statutory profession framework for AI governance.
We propose the establishment of a new statutory profession termed the AI Architect (AIA). The AIA will oversee AI systems, ensuring that developers create and deploy them in a manner that minimizes risks to individuals and society. This role would encompass the interpretation and explanation of XAI models to various stakeholders, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability in AI systems.
The AIA would operate within a regulatory framework that mandates ongoing compliance and monitoring. This framework would require AIAs to possess appropriate qualifications, undergo continuous education, and maintain professional indemnity insurance.
3. XAI Interface Challenges: AI governance
The implementation of XAI presents several challenges, particularly in terms of human interaction with AI systems. The concept of the “human in the loop” emphasizes the importance of human oversight in AI decision-making processes. However, the lack of a legal definition for this role complicates its integration into regulatory frameworks.
XAI aims to produce models that are interpretable and justifiable, especially in high-stakes scenarios where decisions can have significant consequences. Various XAI techniques, such as data explainability and model explainability, have been developed to address these challenges.
The AIA will play a pivotal role in ensuring that XAI techniques effectively shape the AI development lifecycle. By overseeing the design, implementation, and evaluation of AI systems, the AIA would ensure that explanations are not only accurate but also aligned with regulatory requirements. This oversight would help mitigate the risks associated with opaque AI systems and enhance the overall trustworthiness of AI technologies.
4. Regulated Professions in the EU
The European Union has recognized the need for regulated professions to ensure public safety and welfare. The concept of regulated professions encompasses activities that require specific qualifications and adherence to established standards. In the context of AI, the absence of regulation for computer scientists and software developers poses significant risks, as their work directly impacts the health, safety, and rights of individuals.
The introduction of the AIA as a regulated profession would align with existing frameworks for other statutory professions. By establishing clear educational requirements and professional standards, the AIA would contribute to the development of a robust regulatory environment for AI. This would involve creating a regulatory body responsible for overseeing the certification and conduct of AIAs, ensuring that they meet the necessary qualifications and adhere to ethical standards.
5. Proposal for AI Architect to Address Regulatory and XAI Challenges
The proposal to establish the AIA is seen as a necessary component of the AI regulatory framework. The AIA would certify AI systems before deployment, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and ethical standards. This certification process would involve a thorough evaluation of the AI system’s design, data usage, and decision-making processes.
6. Conclusion
The rapid advancement of AI technologies necessitates a reevaluation of existing regulatory frameworks to ensure public safety and trust. The introduction of a statutory profession framework, exemplified by the proposed AI Architect, offers a viable solution to enhance accountability and governance in AI. By establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and standards for AI professionals, we can foster a regulatory environment that promotes the safe and ethical use of AI technologies.
Do you like to read more educational content? Read our blogs at Cloudastra Technologies or contact us for business enquiry at Cloudastra Contact Us.