Could the AI system interfere with users’ autonomy influencing their decision-making process?

Ethics & Human Rights CategoryTransparency & Accessibility CategoryBias, Fairness & Discrimination Category
Design PhaseModel PhaseOutput PhaseMonitor Phase
Could the AI system interfere with users’ autonomy influencing their decision-making process?
  • Could your system affect which choices and which information is made available to people?
  • Could the AI system affect human autonomy by generating over-reliance by users (too much trust on the technology)?
  • Could this reinforce their beliefs or encourage certain behaviors?
  • Could the AI system create human attachment, stimulate addictive behavior, or manipulate user behavior?
  • Could the AI system mislead consumers or provide false recommendations?

If you answered Yes then you are at risk

If you are not sure, then you might be at risk too

Recommendations

  • Clearly explain how the AI system processes inputs and generates outputs to avoid unintentional manipulation or misrepresentation. Ensure users understand the limitations and intended purposes of the AI system through user-friendly documentation and communication. Offer features that allow users to adjust or override AI recommendations, ensuring they maintain control over decisions. Implement mechanisms for users to pause, disable, or opt-out of certain AI functionalities.
  • Implement safeguards to detect and reduce over-reliance, such as reminders or notifications encouraging users to seek alternative opinions or double-check recommendations. Include disclaimers or warnings about the system’s limitations in contexts where over-reliance might occur.
  • Refrain from using techniques that exploit psychological vulnerabilities, such as gamification, excessive notifications, or reward loops that could encourage addictive behavior. Periodically evaluate whether design elements unintentionally foster dependency on the system.
  • Test the system with users from various cultural, socioeconomic, and demographic backgrounds to understand potential impacts on different groups. Incorporate diverse perspectives to avoid inadvertent biases that could restrict autonomy for certain populations.
  • Continuously monitor for any behaviors or outputs that may interfere with user decision-making processes. Use post-market monitoring to collect feedback and implement updates to reduce unintended autonomy infringements. Ensure human oversight mechanisms are in place for critical decision-making areas. Clearly define the role of the AI system as a tool to assist, not replace, human decision-making.

Interesting resources/references