Tech Ethics: Just Because We Can, Doesn’t Mean We Should
GREG KAHN
NOV 12, 2023
I’ll confess: the “move fast and break things” ethos expressed by Mark Zuckerberg as Facebook’s motto sounded right to me for so many years.
Of course, Zuckerberg was speaking about design and management processes at Facebook when he coined that heedless, potent phrase. The social network actually retired that motto a decade ago. Instead, Facebook went with the blandly sober mission statement,"Move fast with stable infrastructure." Still, whether Zuckerberg and company ever truly let go of that original stated impulse has remained up for debate.
I, like most of the people in my professional and social circles, had an abiding belief that the arc of technology bends toward greater connectedness and understanding. Good tech would always triumph over bad actors: fraudsters, spammers, hatemongers, and manipulators.
Tech’s Non-Stop Acceleration
The world is on fire in myriad ways and places. Like most of you, I’ve had to do some soul searching. Excitement and trepidation has collided in the public mind regarding the superspeed advances of generative artificial intelligence. Then there’s potential malign influence of misinformation via TikTok as vile expressions of antisemitism threaten college students and the public discourse in the U.S.
The degree of powerful technology put in the hands of ordinary people around the world over the last 20 years has virtually no precedent.
Before the invention of the Gutenberg printing press around 1440/1450, Europe had merely a few thousand books in existence. But within 50 years since the introduction of printing, by 1500, the count had surged to over 9,000,000 books.
A year ago, in the weeks before Thanksgiving 2022, almost no one had even heard of ChatGPT, let alone been a user of it. This past week, Sam Altman, the CEO of ChatGPT parent, noted at the company’s first DevDay presentation that the gen AI tool was attracting 100 million weekly active users.
As I mentioned at the Emerging Tech Exchange, the most far-reaching and consequential announcement was OpenAI giving users the ability to build their own custom versions of ChatGPT. Not only could this be the next Apple App Store, but the big difference is truly major: no coding knowledge is required. In the past, anyone could theoretically create a hot new app for the iPhone.
A lot of good can come from truly democratizing app creation. But, in the hands of the wrong individuals, a lot can go wrong.
Source: Chat-GPT and DALL-E
A Necessary Question
In the fast-paced realm of emerging tech, a compelling question echoes through boardrooms, policy chambers, entrepreneurial ventures, and brand strategies: Just because we can, does it mean we should?
At the heart of that question is an emphasis that ethical considerations should be at the forefront of every decision-making process. In our race to innovate and disrupt, it is crucial that we pause and reflect on the real-world consequences of our creations.
It doesn’t seem possible, I know. The entrepreneur’s imperative is to pursue tech creation wherever it goes. I’m not necessarily calling for closing pathways of thinking to inventors, investors, and startups. But some twisting roads need more guardrails and lower speed limits.
Surely that is reasonable, right?
One critical lesson emerges amidst the technological fervor: leadership is not merely about exploiting market dominance or maximizing profits at the expense of truth and public safety.
Instead, it must embody a broader perspective, one that has business leaders prioritizing a “values proposition'”over a mere “value proposition.”
But what should technology creators consider?
Innovators wield immense power to shape our world beyond imagination. but this power must be harnessed responsibly.
As AI inspires more conversation, more breathless excitement, more worries, there’s been one aspect missing from the series of hackathons I’ve encountered: In addition to asking the “should we build it?” question, organizers need to ask, “How do we bring together the right kinds of players?”
A better tech landscape can’t be populated by the same big names from Silicon Valley.
How do we open AI — and spatial computing, to name another game-changing tech on the horizon — to new voices? How can we promote new thinkers who will pursue commercialization that truly reflects the need of “tech for good?”
I’m a member of the Ad Council and that organization embodies that balanced approach. That kind of thinking tends to be viewed with alternating derision and dismissiveness in tech capitals, where the idea of “changing the world for the better” is viewed as a public relations talking point — or a pointed joke on the first episode of the HBO satire, Silicon Valley:
What Wonderful World?
The day before OpenAI’s DevDay, the Biden Administration issued an executive order outlining guidelines for gen AI uses. (Check out the extensive White House fact sheet for details.)
Ethical AI ensures that algorithms do not reinforce biases or perpetuate discrimination, heralding a future where innovation aligns with societal values.
Policymakers play a pivotal role in this narrative, crafting regulations that uphold ethical standards and protect vulnerable communities. Striking a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring ethical boundaries is essential. Regulations should encourage responsible practices, promoting transparency and accountability among tech giants and startups alike.
Entrepreneurs, our vanguards of innovation, face a dual challenge: to disrupt industries and uplift societies. The mantra “move fast and break things” must be replaced with “move thoughtfully and build futures.”
I get it. That’s not a catchy phrase to build a startup on. But unless we prioritize tech that elevates practical attributes like truth, inclusivity, environmental sustainability, civility, and tools that don’t leave anyone behind, we won’t have much of a future worth building a startup for.
Source: Chat-GPT and DALL-E
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Greg Kahn
GK Digital Ventures
Greg Kahn is a catalytic force in the technology, media and entertainment industries, renowned for connecting innovators with investors, growing brands and driving billions of dollars in transactional deals. Learn More >
