Artificial intelligence is not simply “built” like a bridge or a computer program. It is trained, taught, and shaped. It learns based on the data we provide it with and evolves with every interaction. In this sense, it more closely resembles a digital child than a tool. And this raises a fundamental question: if we are “raising” it, then who is responsible for it?
The future of this technology does not lie solely in the hands of a handful of engineers in Silicon Valley. It is shaped by a complex ecosystem in which both its “parents”—creators and developers—and the “society” in which it grows up—that is, us, the users—play key roles. This is our shared responsibility.
The Role of “Parents”: The Responsibility of Creators
The creators of AI lay the foundations for its “personality.” Their responsibility is immense and begins long before the technology gets into our hands.
- Ethical DNA (Training Data): Artificial intelligence is only as good as the data it learns from. It is the creators’ duty to ensure that this data is diverse, representative, and free from harmful biases. Otherwise, the AI, like a child raised on one-sided stories, will replicate and reinforce existing stereotypes and social inequalities.
- House Rules (Ethical Codes): Responsible companies must create and implement internal ethical codes. These are sets of rules that define how the AI should behave, prioritizing user safety, privacy protection, and transparency. This is not a bureaucratic invention but a crucial element in building trust and protecting the company’s reputation.
- Continuous Learning and Oversight: The “raising” of an AI does not end on its release day. Creators must constantly monitor, test, and audit their systems to catch errors and harmful behaviors. The key here is a mechanism for gathering user feedback, which allows for the continuous improvement of the technology.
The Role of “Society”: The Responsibility of Users
The moment we start a conversation with an AI, we become part of its “upbringing environment.” Our actions, while they may seem trivial, have a real impact on the direction in which this technology will evolve.
- Every Interaction Is a Lesson: We must remember that every one of our conversations and every query is another piece of training data for the AI. We teach it what is acceptable, desirable, and interesting. Our collective behavior shapes its “character.”
- The Duty of Critical Thinking: The greatest threat from the user is passivity. AI ethics requires us not only to follow rules but also to have the “ability for critical reflection.” We cannot blindly trust the algorithm’s answers. Our duty is to verify information, question biases, and be aware that we are talking to a tool, not an oracle.
- Co-creation Through Feedback: We are on the front line. We are the ones who will be the first to notice when an AI behaves in a biased, unethical, or simply strange way. Reporting such problems to the creators is not just complaining, but an active participation in the “upbringing” process.
A Shared Future
The problem of responsibility for AI is too complex to be dumped on a single group. It is a dynamic dance between creators, who must provide safe and ethical tools, and users, who must use them in a conscious and critical way. Over it all, wise, flexible legal regulations should watch, protecting citizens while not stifling innovation.
Artificial intelligence is a mirror that reflects our society—with all its good, evil, and biases. What kind of “person” it becomes in the future depends on what kind of “parents” and what kind of “society” we are to it today. It is our shared responsibility.