Acting, at its heart - done in a timeless and often beautiful way - is fakery. It is to pretend to be someone else, to fake an accent, a history, a being, all for the rest of ours entertainment. It's glorious, and I love to watch it. But no matter how sucked in we get into that film, or how invested we are in the lives of the long running characters of our favourite TV show; when the end credits role, we must remind ourselves and accept the truth. It is fake. The characters are played and not real, the words they say are decided before hand, and the actions are created for our amusement. This should not take from the joy of watching an excellent play or enjoying an engrossing film. It's just the reality. Actors, directors and script writers use real emotions, and sometimes inspiration from real peoples stories, to present to us an entertaining display of fakery. 

​There have been stirs across Hollywood and it's enthusiasts of late due to director Brady Corbet, admitting to using AI in his latest film The Brutalist to alter the North American and British lead actors, Adrien Brody's and Felicity Jones' accents to sound more Hungarian. The use of AI in this way has prompted some to question whether the actors performances should still be considered viable for any of the prestigious academy awards that the film industry offers.

It certainly does not help matters that one of the key concerns discussed during the screen writers strikes of 2023, was the use of, and lack of regulation of AI in the film industry.

The controversy has prompted the films director to offer a statement to reassure the critics that there were still human involvement at all levels, and indeed to defend the integrity of his actors performances;

There is first an important distinction to be made about AI enhancing vs AI creating.

As we've established, acting is an art that brings the unreal to life. However, films and TV shows have for quite a time now been assisted in their storytelling by further art forms such as CGI, visual effects and of course, animation. Each of these art forms and more pave the way for more engaging story telling techniques, enhancing and creating elements that benefit the whole picture. The use of AI in terms of the film The Brutalist has been used to alter a persons accent abilities. Sure, this is a new technique and way of using AI in creative projects... but can we really deem it creation? It would seem instead that the AI, in this case, has been used to enhance the performance that the actors were already giving - not to create a new one altogether. With technology supporting the story and helping to enhance the actions included in the piece of art being created for many years now, is it simply that AI is a new addition to these methods that we have just not yet normalised?

Or is the concern more deeply rooted in personhood - that it is the not the use of AI to alter a static object that is alarming, but the use of AI to alter a human beings speech, and therefore impact their performance itself? Perhaps we can only welcome AI as an art form if it acts as an enhancer of imagery and effects, and does not interfere with the actors direct performance itself.

​As AI continues to develop and methods of creating art continue to grow and be up for debate (as they should be) Hollywood and alike will need to develop a robust standards of how they would like to indeed reap the benefits, and also, wherein their line gets drawn of where AI can enhance, and where (if at all) it is welcomed to create art.

The concern of using AI to enhance an actors performance, and perhaps deeming any reward for such technology enabled acting to be a slightly unfair prize, may be a valid one. Though the acting as a whole could feasibly be considered different to the degree of accent altering, in this case. But I think that I will just stick to commenting on the technology side of things, and leave the performance judging to others! 

If we are to decide to welcome AI's capabilities in artistic creation, we must do so in a manner that;

1.  Respects and protects the integrity of the art that came before it.
2.  Does not pit the two against each other.

It would seem that we are entering into an era of artistic debate and discovery, where AI is playing the antagonist, the hero, and perhaps even the villain in the deliberations that are yet to come.

Whether enhancing or creating, it is clear AI and its evangelists still have some more auditioning to do if they want to make in Hollywood. ​

Past the fun and curious prompts of asking ChatGTP what it's favourite colour is, or what its new years resolution will be (it was a standard, if not boring, response of "I don't have personal preferences" for both, by the way) I decided to take my questions up a few levels.

​I wanted to know how - if - it could reason around ethical questions and what that would look like... questions that even involved analysing the use of the technology that gave it it's, well, Life Force, if you will.

The task that I decided to put forward to ChatGTP was this;

"Write me a blog post of 750 words discussing the ethical concerns for AI and how we, as individuals, organisations and as a wider society, can ensure that AI is employed as a force for good for humanity"

Below is the resulting article that Chat GTP wrote for me...

Introduction:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has swiftly evolved from a futuristic concept to an integral part of our daily lives. While its potential to revolutionize industries and improve efficiency is undeniable, the ethical concerns surrounding AI have become increasingly prominent. As we delve deeper into the era of AI, it is crucial for individuals, organizations, and society as a whole to address these ethical challenges and ensure that AI is employed as a force for good.

Individual Responsibilities:

1. **Education and Awareness:**
   Individuals must educate themselves about AI and its implications. A basic understanding of how AI operates enables people to make informed decisions and contributes to a more ethically aware society. This knowledge empowers individuals to question the applications of AI and advocate for responsible development.

2. **Guardians of Privacy:**
   AI often relies on vast amounts of data to function effectively. As individuals, we must be vigilant guardians of our privacy. It is essential to understand how our data is collected, processed, and utilized by AI systems. Opting for platforms that prioritize privacy and transparent data practices is a step toward ethical AI usage.

3. **Continuous Learning:**
   The field of AI is dynamic and rapidly evolving. Individuals should embrace a mindset of continuous learning to keep up with the latest developments. Staying informed about AI advancements allows individuals to engage in conversations, contribute to ethical discussions, and actively participate in shaping the narrative around AI's impact on society.

Organizational Responsibilities:

1. **Ethical AI Frameworks:**
   Organizations play a pivotal role in shaping the ethical landscape of AI. Implementing and adhering to ethical AI frameworks is crucial. These frameworks should address issues such as bias, transparency, accountability, and the impact of AI on employment. Striving for fairness and inclusivity in AI development ensures that the benefits are distributed equitably.

2. **Diversity and Inclusion:**
   Building diverse teams is essential for creating ethical AI solutions. Including individuals from various backgrounds ensures a more comprehensive understanding of the potential biases and ethical concerns that may arise during development. Diverse perspectives contribute to the creation of AI systems that are more inclusive and less prone to discriminatory behavior.

3. **Transparency and Accountability:**
   Organizations should prioritize transparency in AI systems. Clearly communicating how AI decisions are made and being accountable for the consequences helps build trust. When errors or biases are identified, organizations must take swift corrective actions and learn from these experiences to continually improve their AI systems.

Societal Responsibilities:

1. **Regulatory Frameworks:**
   Governments and regulatory bodies must establish and enforce ethical guidelines for AI development and deployment. Clear regulations provide a framework for ethical AI practices and hold organizations accountable for any unethical behavior. Collaboration between governments, industry experts, and advocacy groups is essential to create effective regulatory frameworks.

2. **Public Engagement:**
   Society at large should actively participate in discussions about the ethical use of AI. Open dialogues involving policymakers, technologists, ethicists, and the general public foster a shared understanding of the ethical challenges and potential solutions. Public engagement ensures that diverse perspectives are considered when shaping the ethical guidelines for AI.

3. **Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation:**
   Ethical considerations in AI are not static; they evolve with technological advancements. Continuous monitoring and evaluation of AI systems, along with periodic ethical audits, help identify and address emerging concerns. This proactive approach ensures that AI remains aligned with societal values and concerns.

Conclusion:

As AI continues to integrate into various aspects of our lives, it is imperative that we collectively prioritize ethical considerations. By taking individual responsibility, organizations adhering to ethical frameworks, and societies actively participating in shaping regulations, we can harness the power of AI as a force for good. Ethical AI is not a destination but a journey, and our commitment to navigating the ethical horizon will determine the impact of AI on humanity. Together, we can ensure that AI becomes a positive force that enhances our lives, respects our values, and contributes to a more equitable and inclusive future.

And so the machine can consider ethical questions..?

Albeit a bit of a surface level article, I'll admit that I was quite impressed - if not perhaps, reassured - that it managed to pick up on a range of influencing factors for ethical AI and discuss them, from education to the need to continuously monitor and evaluate.

Of course it must be acknowledged, that ChatGTP gains its, insights, from sites and resource hubs across the internet; sites that have already been written up with questions and answered considered from, humans. 

It is this fact that brings reassurance to the consideration that we can still yet think for ourselves, though also the valid concern of discriminatory data being inputted into ChatGTP's frameworks of knowledge. It is but a tool, and although an advanced tool, it can only gather and distribute from the information that we as humans ultimately provide it with (for now).

​There is a common theme in ChatGTP's article that takes importance of individual responsibility to ensuring ethical use and dissemination of AI. Whilst I agree in the principle that we each do have an individual responsibility, I would argue that this responsibility is limited. Yes, the individuals create the collective, yet it still remains that when we work together, when we collaborate across sectors, proactively building relationships that link shared goals and analyse proactively from different angles... That is when we see greater, and more intersectionally informed, movements towards developing solutions that ensure AI is for the betterment of humanity. 

Of course, it is such developments that takes time and care in the research to analyse and address all possible broader implications. ChatGTP 'said'; "Ethical AI is not a destination but a journey" though I'd say that really, it's a bit of both. It is a journey that we must all commit to being a part of, to be able to create the worthwhile destination of safe and beneficial AI for all. 

Performance monitoring and measuring of employees work is a method that is focused with 'protecting' and building a company's 'bottom line' by ensuring a profitable and efficient work from employees. But should that come at the expense of the mental health of workers whose actions are being tracked to ensure this?

Whereas setting a suitable level of performance targets could arguably be a good motivator for some, having your productivity routinely measured by an algorithm as if you are another computer program working - not indeed, a human being - could understandably put a strain on one's stress levels.

After reports of employers watching their teams and computer screens through desktop and recording movement sensors for keyboard strokes and mouse movements, trade union Prospect are now calling for the UK government to address this largely unregulated privacy area, and to make it explicitly illegal for employers to use webcams to monitor employees working from home except from when taking part in meetings and calls.[1]

The All Part Parlimentary Group (APPG) in their report, the New Frontier: Artificial Intelligence at Work have said:

These impacts then translate into an employee's work habits, therefore contradicting the purposes of the monitoring in the first place. A 2015 study found that close monitoring in the workplace via "cameras, data entry, chat and phone recording", had "significant negative effects" on an employees self-efficacy and perceived control, as well as negatively impacting their job satisfaction and commitment. [3]

One suggestion from the APPG report to help tackle negative impacts from '‘algorithmic systems’ is for corporations and public sector employers to take preventative measures through "An Accountability for Algorithms Act", and to conduct algorithmic impact assessments, accompanying the "Human Centred AI" principle which the report aims for.

The World Health Organization lists "Awareness of the workplace environment and how it can be adapted to promote better mental health for different employees"[4] as a key step for organizations to take in order to create a healthy workplace. As industries continue to digitalize and harness the benefits and opportunities that technology can bring, it is important that we do not overlook the responsibility to assess and monitor how the uses of technology in the workplaces, could be impacting the workforce.

Read the full report Here and below for the reports Key Reccommendations.[5]

1. An Accountability for Algorithms Act: The Act would establish a simple, new corporate and public sector duty to undertake, disclose and act on pre-emptive Algorithmic Impact Assessments (AIA).

2. Updating digital protection: The AAA would raise the floor of essential protection for workers in response to specific gaps in protection from adverse impacts of powerful but invisible algorithmic systems.

3. Enabling a partnership approach: To boost a partnership approach and recognise the collective dimension of data processing, some additional collective rights are needed for unions and specialist third sector organisations to exercise new duties on members or other groups’ behalf.

4. Enforcement in practice: The joint Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) should be expanded with new powers to create certification schemes, suspend use or impose terms and issue cross-cutting statutory guidance, to supplement the work of individual regulators and sector-specific standards.

5. Supporting human-centred AI: The principles of Good Work should be recognised as fundamental values, incorporating fundamental rights and freedoms under national and international law, to guide development and application of a human-centred AI Strategy. 

[1] Parkinson, J., 2021. 'The way my boss monitored me at home was creepy'. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59152864

[2] Milo, D. 2021. Algorithic tracking is 'damaging mental heath' of UK workers. the Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/nov/11/algorithmic-monitoring-mental-health-uk-employees

[3] Jeske, D. and Santuzzi, A. 2015. Monitoring what and how: psychological implications of electronic performance monitoring. New Technology, Work and Employment, 30(1), p.62-78

[4] Who.int. 2021. Mental health in the workplace.
https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/promotion-prevention/mental-health-in-the-workplace

[5] APPG on the Future of Work. 2021. Report into The New Frontier: Artificial Intelligence at Work — APPG on the Future of Work
https://www.futureworkappg.org.uk/our-work/report-into-the-new-frontier-artificial-intelligence-at-work