How Futures Studies and Foresight Could Address Ethical Dilemmas of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Díaz-Domínguez, Alejandro
• Is Part Of: World future review. Volume 12:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 180
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: machine learning -- foresight -- ethics -- big data -- predictive analytics; Forecasting -- Periodicals; Forecasting -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Social prediction -- Periodicals; Social indicators -- Periodicals; 303.49
• DOI: 10.1177/1946756719894602
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1946-7567

Abstract

Drawing from ethical concerns raised by communities of machine learning developers and considering predictive analytics' very short-term predictions, several futures studies techniques are examined to offer some insights about possible bridges between machine learning and foresight. This review develops three main sections: (1) a brief explanation of central concepts, such as big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, hopefully not too simplistic but readable for larger audiences; (2) a discussion about ethical issues, such as bias, discrimination, and dilemmas in research; and (3) a brief description of how futures studies could address ethical dilemmas derived from different time horizons among machine learning immediate results, forecasting short-term predictions, and foresight long-term scenarios.