If we go back in time, there’s no doubt that every technological era looks distinctively different to the previous. From the industrial revolution to the internet era and more recently, the smartphone era; these periods in time have distinct differences between them. But they do share something in common, humans were in control throughout all of these eras, and each era in between. Ultimately, the way in which technology has been used has been dictated by human decisions. But the era we are about to enter will be the first in which technology has a mind of its own. As we enter the generative era, this article asks who is responsible when technology acts alone across three different use cases.
Driverless Cars: When There Is No Driver to Blame
One of the biggest and most exciting use cases of modern-day technology is driverless vehicles. While it’s still not quite considered the norm, there has certainly been enough innovation to suggest that’s where we’re heading. Take a trip to Los Angeles and you’ll see Waymo robotaxis transporting locals and tourists across the city. It’s a similar sight up and down the Las Vegas strip and many areas of China.
The advantages come in the form of convenience, safety and cost. But have we stopped to consider the issue of accountability?
Until now, the issue of accountability when it comes to automobiles has been pretty straightforward. If there’s an issue with the car, the manufacturer is held accountable. If there’s a road traffic accident, a driver or pedestrian will be held accountable. But what happens when there’s no driver?
If self-driving cars are to be the future, we’re probably about to enter a world where accountability becomes murky. Personal injury solicitors are likely to see their work shift from pursuing claims against individual drivers to pursuing claims against the companies responsible for developing and maintaining self-driving technology.
Blockchain: Trust Without Identity
While crypto gets plenty of attention, the technology behind this new form of currency is far lesser discussed. Nevertheless, blockchain technology has been adopted in a variety of industries. But in the case of crypto and digital assets, blockchain is used to remove central intermediaries such as banks.
This helps to cover the identity of individuals involved in transactions, a far cry from traditional processes where banks have all the details of their customers. Crypto enthusiasts will proudly lay claim to the fact that this is a good thing, but how do we hold people accountable in a world where everyone’s anonymous?
The answer is with great difficulty. And worryingly, we’re already seeing examples of crypto scams. The main takeaway here is that while blockchain can enhance verification, it simultaneously raises the issue of accountability.
AI: When Reality Can Be Manufactured
As we enter a whole new era, there’s no doubt what the buzzword on everyone’s lips is: AI. While there’s so many different areas of AI, generative AI refers to artificial intelligence that is capable of creating original content through machine learning.
As most of us have seen though, this makes it incredibly difficult to distinguish between genuine content and AI-generated content. ‘Deepfakes’, as they’ve come to be known, mean we now have to challenge everything we see. But in cases where content has been artificially manufactured to deceive individuals, who is to blame and how do we prove it?
As we enter an era where truth becomes debatable, it’s not just a question of who is accountable, but how do we establish accountability.
Final Thoughts
Technology is moving at an alarming rate, and as we enter the era where algorithms and machines are operating autonomously, it is becoming increasingly harder for legal and social worlds to keep up. In terms of law especially, we will need to rethink the way we establish accountability and how we create transparency in a world that is deliberately secretive.
In the future, the question shouldn’t be whether or not technology can work independently, it’s whether we, as a society, can reduce the accountability gap.
Photo Credit
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Guest Author Bio
Cathy Fletcher
Cathy Fletcher is a retired physiotherapist based in Manchester, UK, with a rich 40-year career in the NHS. After navigating the challenges of divorce and retirement, Cathy discovered a new purpose: empowering individuals over 50 to live their best lives and uncover new passions. Her personal journey through these significant life changes has fuelled her commitment to sharing insights and experiences with others in similar stages.
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