The challenges for journalism and the world of communication, the traps for information law, the potential (positive), the risks (not to be underestimated). Artificial intelligence (IA) has come like a cyclone in our lives and society and promises to change them radically. For the better or for the worse? And is there the possibility of an ethical construction? You can put stakes because they do not become a propaganda of hatred and fake news. These are the questions that everyone, not only the insiders, ask themselves and that RUBEN RAANCIANT, Professor of information law at the Catholic University of Milan, he tries to offer with a secular and plural look in the volume The algorithm of equality (FrancoAngeli Editore) which collects a series of essays of various experts in the sector. Rachase is also a consultant to the extraordinary anti-hatred commission of the Senate chaired by the life senator for the senator Liliana segre who signs the preface of the book.
Professor Racante, you are a shiny and disenchanted observer on changes, often sudden, concerning the world of media and the regulatory adjustments that follow. What challenges does the ia set for the right of information and communication?
«Artificial intelligence is raising numerous challenges for information and communication law. First of all, there is the question of the reliability of the information it generates. In fact, some contents that IA produces could increase the phenomenon of disinformation, even if at the same time it could become a valid tool to fight it. Other critical issues emerge in terms of transparency and responsibility, especially when algorithms are used to select or filter certain news. A further problematic area is privacy, given the large amount of personal data that intelligent systems can process. The issue of copyright is also particularly complex. In fact, the contents generated by the AI ask numerous questions about the ownership of the copyright and the related protections “.
And what, on the other hand, are the challenges that the IA places for the ethics of information?
“First of all, there is the risk of spreading false or manipulated contents that can compromise the truthfulness and reliability of the information. Furthermore, when the IA is used to customize the contents, there is the potential risk of generating so -called “information bubbles”, with inevitable limitations for pluralism. Another criticality concerns transparency, an essential component of information, in declaring and explicit when a content was generated or supported by artificial intelligence. In fact, each individual has the right to know if the information received is the result of a technology or a human being. Finally, two other ethical challenges concern the possibility that algorithms can feed and amplify pre -existing bias and moral responsibility, or on who the fault should actually fall in the event that incorrect or completely false information is produced. From this point of view, the new code of ethics of journalists and journalists, who entered into force on June 1st, requires precise obligations and clarifies that, in the event of an error, the use of the AI can never become an exemption for the author of the article “.
The preface of his latest book is signed by Liliana Segre. What does his words mean and how do they concern algorithms?
«Involving the senator for life in my editorial initiative was not a randomness. In fact, I collaborate with her as a free consultant of the extraordinary commission of the Senate for the contrast of the phenomena of intolerance, racism, anti -Semitism, instigation to hatred and violence, chaired by her. Its preface makes me proud and frames the leitmotiv of the work from the beginning: artificial intelligence can be used to hinder the spread of any form of discrimination and, in order to be able to do this, it must become an amplifier of the virtuous actions of man. The IA must become a tool for enhancing diversity in order to allow the protection of the identities of each individual and the performance of the personality of each one. These systems must work “with” the man and enhance all his activities, so as to be able to better face the challenges posed by the technological revolution. Therefore, the IA must be seen as a tool capable of building a more inclusive company. All this can only happen if it will be designed with awareness, ethics and respect for fundamental rights ».
Will journalism survive, and how, to the AI?
«Certainly journalism will survive. Except that it will be necessary to develop more specific knowledge and skills in this sense, above all to be able to exploit these tools for the benefit of the quality of information and to enhance the profession. A fundamental element that will remain a prerogative of man will be critical thinking. In fact, the IA is only able to report information based on the data that was placed on it during the training phase. Therefore, artificial intelligence will never totally replace journalists but will increasingly become a valid and precious support for their profession, helping them to make mistakes less and helping to rationalize their work “.
The phenomenon of fake news is a phenomenon that has been spread for years that with the fire power ensured by the AI can really go out of control. Who responds if a content generated by Ia Defama, discriminates or disseminates false news? Is the current regulatory framework adequate?
«This is a theme still complex and in the course of evolution. The responsibility for the contents generated with the help of the AI remains in the lead and therefore does not involve the systems producers in any way. Those who use artificial intelligence to produce content that are false or harmful of the honor and reputation of others respond firsthand and, as I remembered before, even on a strictly ethical level it can blame the algorithms “.
What do you need, from a regulatory point of view, to effectively govern the use of the AI in journalism without placing the profession?
“At the base there is the need to develop rules that are clear and balanced, able to adapt to continuous technological progress. Furthermore, transparency against uses of artificial intelligence is essential, each time it is used if it is used, how and to what extent. In this sense, a useful and effective means could be the creation of shared ethics codes that go to establish common rules capable of adapting to the continuous technological evolutions. In this way it would be possible to benefit the profession and to encourage innovation. When I speak of shared ethical codes I allude to the possibility that, in addition to the code of ethics of journalists, other forms of self -discipline for publishers, technological operators and other figures involved in the processes of production and dissemination of news are affirmed “.
On the issues of censorship and manipulation of public opinion what are the greatest risks deriving from the AI?
«First of all that it can amplify these phenomena. A potential danger could be to use these tools to control the visibility of certain content, favoring some opinions and obscuring others. In addition, the IA can be used to generate manipulated contents, the so -called deepfakes, influenced public opinion and with the risk of strengthening certain prejudices and polarizations. These systems, if not used responsibly and consciously, can become a threat to the freedom of expression, pluralism and the formation of a free public opinion ».
In the message for the World Peace Day of 2023 Pope Francis had related the theme of the AI with that of education and peace asking for a critical thinking about the AI and the ability to governing it ethically. As a jurist, how did this appeal accepted and what do you think you have to do?
«The appeal of the late Pope Francis was particularly significant, also from a legal point of view. The reference to the need for critical thinking and an ethical control of the AI shows how a technology, however powerful it is, must always have human supervision in the center. As a jurist, I welcome this appeal as an invitation to strengthen the current regulatory framework on artificial intelligence, to respect fundamental rights and promote substantial inclusion and equality. What has become necessary is to be able to promote and spread a digital education capable of making these new technologies understand and govern. Only in this way will it be possible to build an AI who becomes an amplifier of the virtuous actions of the human being and not a threat to the future of humanity “.
