Final Exam - Implications of Gen AI Flashcards
whats Hallucinations
- incorrect or misleading results that AI models generate
- caused by a variety of factors including: insufficient training data, incorrect assumptions, biases in the data used to train model
- relying solely on ai output can lead to misinformation
whats Opacity
- performs well at some jobs and fails in other circumstances in ways that are difficult to predict in advance
- users cant see how AI makes decisions
whats Alignment
- ensuring AI acts in ways we want and expect
Top down alignment
- designers explicitly specify the values and ethical principles for AI to follow
- we tell it what values to follow
Bottom up alignment
- reverse engineer human values from data and build AI systems aligned with those values
- it learns values by watching us
Positive implications of Gen AI on employment
- add jobs
- increase productivity: may enable labour productivity growth, empower small businesses to tackle long projects, support entrepreneurship, reduce barriers, AI doesn’t get bored of bored tasks
- increase outcomes
- increase flexibility of work
- help complete better performance reviews
- automate process of creating social media posts
negative implications of gen ai on employment
- Job loss and reduced mobility, especially for lower-educated workers
- Widening inequality at both personal and societal levels
- Business risk: many CEOs fear AI threatens company survival
- Lower work quality due to AI errors (hallucinations)
- Lost productivity gains if employees aren’t encouraged to share AI use
positive implications of gen ai on education
- improve access to quality, personalized education for students and teachers
- Boost critical analysis and assessment standards
- Enhance human intelligence, potential and purpose
negative implications of gen ai on education
- increase educational divide
- decrease in teaching quality and learning due to hallucinations
- increase in academic misconduct
- decrease in deep learning and competency development
- decrease in authentic research and authorship
positive implications of gen ai on climate change
- Cut emissions by 5–10% by 2030
- Boost energy forecasting and efficiency in carbon-heavy industries
- AI must be powered affordably and sustainably
negative implications of gen ai on climate change
- accelerate problems: energy required to train data and run models on live data
- gen ai search uses 10x more energy than google
- gen ai image uses same energy as charging phone
- power expected to grow 160% by 2030
- water, biodiversity, carbon emissions concerns
Gen ai impact on info and transparency and consent
- raises ethical issues regarding consent, copyright, and IP
- creators may lose control over rights and compensation
- raises questions regarding control over personal data and privacy
positive gen ai impact on cybersecurity
- increase ability to detect fraud and defend attacks
- increase opportunities for selling IP services
negative gen ai impact on cybersecurity
- increase cybersecurity and IP risks
- phishing, deepfake attacks, cyberattacks, data overflow, ip leaks, synthetic data
Early examples of Gen AI governance
- EU AI Act (passed in Dec. 2023, implemented in 2025)
- Canadian Voluntary Code of Conduct (introduced in Oct. 2023)
whats the EU AI Act
What it is: The world’s first comprehensive AI law.
Goal: Regulate AI based on risk levels (from low to high risk).
Examples: High-risk AI (like hiring tools, facial recognition) will face strict rules and audits.
Bans some uses entirely (e.g., social scoring, real-time biometric tracking).
Why it matters: Sets a global standard for AI regulation and safety.
whats the Canadian Voluntary Code of Conduct
What it is: A non-binding set of guidelines for companies using or developing Gen AI.
Focus areas: Safety, transparency, fairness, accountability, and human oversight.
Why it matters: It’s a first step before a full law (like the upcoming Artificial Intelligence and Data Act – AIDA).
Companies are encouraged to sign on, but it’s not mandatory yet.
Gen AI impact on accuracy of
information
increase potential for proliferation of
misinformation and disinformation
o we believe what is false
o we don’t believe what is true
positive Gen AI impact on representation and bias in information
+ help make data driven decisions that
reduce human bias
+ help identify patterns of inequality
+ help increase diversity in leadership if
education access is increased
negative Gen AI impact on representation and bias in information
- reinforce and perpetuate social bias and
inequities - training data
- missing data
- creates potential for ‘diversity-
washing’/’digital blackface
