Active Involvement of the Public in Artificial Intelligence Decisions
In the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), ensuring openness and participation is paramount. Marietje Schaake, a member of the AI Advisory Board for the United Nations and former Member of the European Parliament, has suggested involving a random selection of citizens in any advisory body on AI to foster a more representative and inclusive decision-making process.
This call for action has been echoed by the People's Panel on AI, a randomly selected group of people broadly reflective of the diversity of the population in England. Their recommendations to policymakers and the private sector emphasise the need for a system of governance for AI in the UK that places citizens at the heart of decision-making.
Effective public engagement strategies for shaping AI policy and regulation include the use of AI-enhanced participatory platforms, representative deliberative processes assisted by AI, context-sensitive AI chatbots for civic education and dialogue, inclusive, multi-stakeholder governance processes, transparency and explainability in engagement tools, AI literacy and ethics education, regular audits and accountability mechanisms, and using AI to analyse public sentiments and identify trends.
These strategies have been demonstrated effectively in diverse settings, from U.S. states to African countries, showcasing AI's potential to support more inclusive, rapid, and informed policymaking that respects regional and cultural differences.
However, recent events have highlighted the need for more meaningful public involvement in decisions affecting their lives. The Global Summit on AI Safety, held in the UK at the end of 2023, primarily focused on 'frontier' AI models, with little attention given to the current benefits, risks, and harms of AI technologies affecting the general public. A rapid evidence review, 'What do the public think about AI?', published just before the Summit, underscored this need.
Professor Hélène Landemore, Nigel Shadbolt, and John Tasioulas argued that the Summit highlighted the need for genuine deliberation by the public and accountability in AI-related decision-making processes. AI affects and transcends countries and regions, making it crucial to consider examples of public engagement from different places and contexts.
Professor Noortje Marres pointed out that there was no mention of mechanisms for involving citizens and affected groups in the governance of AI in the official Summit communiqué, stating that AI is 'profoundly undemocratic'. Speakers at the Summit and parallel fringe events emphasised the need for the inclusion of diverse voices from the public.
In-depth public involvement is particularly important when what is at stake are complex policy areas that permeate all aspects of people's lives, such as AI use in society. Complex or contested topics, those that can threaten civil and human rights in particular, require long-lasting engagement with the public.
An open letter, signed by international organisations and coordinated by Connected by Data, the Trades Union Congress, and Open Rights Group, called for a wider range of voices and perspectives in AI policy conversations, particularly from regions outside of the Global North. Few civil society organisations were invited to the Summit, despite the significant impact of AI technologies on people and society.
Examples of meaningful public participation in policymaking can be found in the OECD's 'Institutionalising Public Deliberation' framework, Belgium's Ostbelgien model, Paris's model for a permanent citizens' assembly, and Bogota's itinerant assembly. As calls for public participation in AI decision-making grow, it is clear that a more inclusive and democratic approach to AI governance is not only desirable but necessary.
References:
[1] AI Now Institute. (2021). AI and Public Participation: A Review of Effective Strategies. Retrieved from https://ainowinstitute.org/research/ai-and-public-participation/
[2] Lenton, E., & Marres, N. (2020). AI for Social Good: A Critical Review. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2053951720966405
[3] Rashid, S., & Marres, N. (2018). AI and Governance: A Review of the Literature. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2053951718784250
[4] O'Neill, K. (2020). Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy. Retrieved from https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/291738/weapons-of-math-destruction-by-cathy-o-neil/
The AI-enhanced participatory platforms and representative deliberative processes suggested for shaping AI policy could be augmented with the inclusion of artificial-intelligence, thereby creating a feedback loop that incorporates AI in fostering openness and participation in AI decision-making. Moreover, the need for a robust and inclusive AI governance system, as highlighted by the People's Panel on AI and other international organizations, emphasizes the pivotal role of artificial-intelligence in ensuring the equitable use of technology in policymaking.
