A glossary to help decode the language used by Google and Facebook to reassure the public about AI responsibility without inviting deeper scrutiny
50-ish words you can use to show that you care without incriminating yourself. — AI researchers often say good machine learning is really more art than science. Tweets: @_karenhao , @beteropdefiets , @infofannny , @techreview , @kwerb , @emilymbender , @lukerobertmason , @evanselinger , @latoyapeterson , @valaafshar , @mmitchell_ai , @jtasioulas , @csdoctorsister , @techreview , @carissaveliz , and @willoremus Tweets: Karen Hao / @_karenhao : After spending a few years cutting through Big Tech's B.S. about AI ethics, I've created a glossary to help you decode what all of their favorite terms actually mean. I had way too much fun working on this! Threading some of my favorites below. https://www.technologyreview.com/ ... Christian D'Cunha / @beteropdefiets : Outstanding work, and long overdue. Unbagging corporate AI balls. https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/... Fanny Hidvegi / @infofannny : It's hard to pick one but I think this is my favorite: for good (ph) - As in “AI for good” or “data for good.” An initiative completely tangential to your core business that helps you generate good publicity". Khm khm @ITU_AIForGood and many more https://twitter.com/... @techreview : ethics board (ph) - A group of advisors without real power, convened to create the appearance that your company is actively listening. Examples: Google's AI ethics board (canceled), Facebook's Oversight Board (still standing). https://www.technologyreview.com/ ... Kevin Werbach / @kwerb : Hilarious. And at the same time, sad because it hits so close to home. https://twitter.com/... Emily M. Bender / @emilymbender : @_KarenHao So it turns out @_KarenHao was way ahead of me and did thread (some of) them here: https://twitter.com/... Luke Robert Mason / @lukerobertmason : Wish I had this handy for all the times I've been dragged into a debate on #AI & #Ethics. https://twitter.com/... Evan Selinger / @evanselinger : Behold, a glossary of Big Tech doublespeak from @_KarenHao. privacy trade-off (ph)-The noble sacrifice of individual control over personal information for group benefits like AI-driven health-care advancements, which also happen to be highly profitable. https://www.technologyreview.com/ ... Latoya Peterson / @latoyapeterson : “diversity, equity, and inclusion (ph) - The act of hiring engineers and researchers from marginalized groups so you can parade them around to the public. If they challenge the status quo, fire them.” https://twitter.com/... Vala Afshar / @valaafshar : “AI researchers often say good machine learning is really more art than science. The same could be said for effective public relations. Selecting the right words to strike a positive tone or reframe the conversation about AI is a delicate task.” 50 words on ethical AI: https://twitter.com/... MMitchell / @mmitchell_ai : Omg this article made my morning. Great mix of truths and hilarities. “explainable (adj) - [...] Probably not worth the effort. See interpretable.” Thanks, @_KarenHao! cc: @tulseedoshi @TMartinDeng https://twitter.com/... John Tasioulas / @jtasioulas : “ethics principles (ph) - A set of truisms used to signal your good intentions. Keep it high-level. The vaguer the language, the better. See responsible AI.” And other useful translations of AI “ethics” jargon. Well done @_KarenHao https://www.technologyreview.com/ ... Dr. Brandeis Marshall / @csdoctorsister : @_KarenHao I so love this term list w/ definitions. ☝️🏾 addition tho: content moderators: underpaid 3rd-party contract workers who are repeatedly traumatized by viewing online media content + then forced to make decisions whether it follow/not an org's harassment+ hate speech rules+policies @techreview : Here's 50-ish words the tech giants use to show that they care about responsible AI without incriminating themselves. Consider this a guide to decoding their public-relations vocabulary and challenging the assumptions and values baked in. https://www.technologyreview.com/ ... Carissa Vliz / @carissaveliz : #BigTech's glossary: #accountability - The act of holding someone else responsible for the consequences when your AI system fails. #privacy trade-off - The noble sacrifice of personal data for group benefits which happen to be highly profitable. https://www.technologyreview.com/ ... Will Oremus / @willoremus : this is extremely good https://twitter.com/...