There is growing public and government concern around the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), which can generate harmful content online, and the role of digital platforms in reducing it. This point was underlined by Mr. Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO, speaking at the IGF 2021 in Katowice. The question is how exactly AI technology is using data. Since artificial intelligence requires huge amounts of data, we must ensure that users are first aware that their data is processed and analyzed, and only then give their permission to do so.
For this purpose, comprehensive regulation of AI is needed. But we are still far from the solution, says Dunsin Fatuase, a Youth IGF Partner from Nigeria.
Another point to take into account is the environmental impact of data used by AI. Digital platforms rely on data centres and large volumes of computing power, meaning that they consume considerable amounts of energy. Big Tech companies should be responsible for promoting sustainable business models, says Tim Unwin, Professor of Royal Holloway University of London.