For a long time, artificial intelligence was considered an abstract construct that will one day change current life in the distant future. The basic features of the technology of the future have long since become part of our everyday lives. Now it has to be clarified how far the coming generations of automated systems should – and may – intervene. Consistent transparency helps to counteract uncertainty and create clarity.
A definition: what is artificial intelligence?
The term artificial intelligence (AI) was created in the mid-twentieth century: in 1956 it served as the title of a project proposal by John McCarthy. The American computer scientist took part in a conference in Dartmouth where a large number of different automated programs were presented. Some of them should be able to make their own decisions about moves in board games like chess and checkers. It was the birthplace of programs that can automatically solve theorems and read and interpret texts. But six years earlier, in 1950, Alan Turing proposed the idea of AI – and developed his famous Turing test. The test is still used today as the basis for determining whether a computer can be called intelligent or not.
Accordingly, artificial intelligence refers to a computer system that is capable of showing automated, intelligent behavior. Intelligence should be imitated by specially programmed computers and enable them to act wisely. A functioning AI system is based on algorithms that describe the procedure step by step. A well-developed artificial intelligence must have four main capabilities:
• Perceive
• Decide
• Act
• To learn
Learning uses machine learning: a proven technology that allows computer systems to evaluate and learn from data. The processing component of the AI system is trained by them and a continuous improvement of the results is made possible. An improvement is one of the key points that make up the technology of the future, because at best an AI never stops developing usefully
A distinction: Weak and strong AI
In the field of AI, a distinction is made between weak and strong AI. The weak AI has no general intelligence, but always acts in a firmly defined field. It is therefore used to solve specific tasks. Nevertheless, is able to constantly optimize itself during the work process. In just a few milliseconds, it processes a large amount of data and thus clearly exceeds the capacity of humans in its area. This is why the weak AI has long since become part of our everyday life: It describes the smart interaction between man and machine, as can be found in navigation systems, communication systems or in applications such as speech and image recognition.
In contrast to weak AI, strong AI is to be understood as a system that is capable of intelligent, human-like behavior. She is neither limited to a specific task nor to a predefined field, but can think independently, argue, act with foresight and develop creative ideas. At present, however, the strong AI can only be regarded as visionary: the current technical means are far from sufficient for its development. But even if the strong AI is not yet ready for use, it is already the cornerstone for discussions about its use and the question: Is artificial intelligence morally and ethically justifiable?
Is artificial intelligence harmful or helpful?
Every technical innovation is initially met with skepticism. Underlying this is the fact that the unknown creates uncertainty, which in turn breeds concern. In addition, technical progress creates a new scope for action in which the well-known morality and common ethical forms of behavior do not apply. Both must first be renegotiated and openly discussed. Especially with artificially intelligent systems with the aim of copying the characteristics of human behavior, no one can avoid a differentiated discussion and uncomfortable questions. One of them is: Can humans really be imitated or ultimately even replaced?
Technological development primarily aims to optimize human-machine interaction. In the course of this, human skills should be effectively supplemented and expanded. Using the example of working life, it can therefore be said that the working world of the future will undoubtedly change. But the general fear that the workplace will be taken over by AI systems is unfounded. Rather, the human workforce should be strengthened by being able to rely on the help of digital companions for difficult tasks and in complex work areas. AI systems are therefore not developed to replace humans, but to offer them valuable support. This can be done, for example, through expanded reality (augment reality), but also through household help or intelligent traffic safety systems.
Like any technical innovation, the AI systems will certainly ensure an increase in productivity. This inevitably leads to a change in the labor market, but not to an exchange of a human for a machine. AI systems should relieve the burden – neither at the expense of self-determination nor privacy. And also in a framework that creates trust and works according to the generally applicable standards of ethics. In this way, AI can be of valuable benefit to both the economy and society.
Create security with framework conditions and transparency
In order to guarantee the benefit, regulated framework conditions are required on the one hand, and consistent transparency on the other. Social and economic framework conditions create an environment in which safe work on and with AI systems is possible. In this way, AI-producing companies can make use of their legal certainty and continue their work in accordance with the regulated standards without allowing their innovation potential to be restricted. At the same time, not only the circles involved in the production are informed, but also the citizens are sufficiently enlightened. Because fact-based information helps to counter uncertainty – and thanks to transparency, it becomes visible.
In the IT industry, transparency ensures that work processes and decision-making logic are presented in a comprehensible manner. In this way, the work process becomes visible and the decision-making behavior can not only be explained, but also tracked at any time. Together with established regulations on data protection, consumer law and anti-discrimination law, misuse can be effectively prevented. Transparency creates acceptance and acceptance ultimately enables profitable use of the automated future technology
Professional software documentation makes transparency possible
The key to transparency is the software documentation. Your task is to read out digital processes and explain them in a comprehensible way. It checks the functionality of the algorithms of various systems and at the same time reveals how they work. In this way, it ensures the quality, security and compliance with data protection of the software. The documentation of a specific software product is divided into many sub-areas, which are primarily geared towards the target group. The software documentation thus provides the foundation for transparency and thus for open dealings.
Sysparency makes software documentation understandable
Sysparency is a unique software product that serves professional software documentation. It scores with a scientifically developed software analysis algorithm that guarantees easy comprehension. Sysparency always works in accordance with the law, is comprehensible, detailed and up-to-date. In detail, this means that the legally required program documentation is adhered to and recorded according to the desired or required depth of documentation in the interests of traceability. What makes Sysparency so unique in the field of software documentation: It starts directly with the source code of the algorithms and is the only company in the world that prepares the analysis in an uncomplicated and globally understandable way. All terms are documented in a comprehensible way in the course of the analysis and a natural language as well as graphic models are used for the evaluation. The final result is also available flexibly in the desired structure as an online or Word document. In this way, transparent decisions made by the IT systems are also accessible to people without expertise. – A principle of the company, because where the basic decision-making processes of future technology are disclosed, trust can arise. In the field of artificial intelligence in particular, concerns can be efficiently dismantled and replaced with knowledge.
Summary
Artificial intelligence is a future technology that already supports us in everyday life. Its further development pursues the goal of creating an automated companion that assists people, especially in the work area, and profitably supplements their skills. Transparency is essential for the responsible use of artificial intelligence. It is therefore a necessary benchmark, especially for future-oriented companies. She breaks down prejudices and instead creates a safe space for facts and positive debates. Software documentation for the respective AI system reveals its decision-making processes and procedures – this ensures sufficient transparency. Analysis software is required to create the documentation. An example is Sysparency, whose evaluations are easy to understand for people with and without specialist knowledge. Because tomorrow’s technology can only be developed today with understanding and acceptance.
