There has been a significant increase in the use of Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across various fields, as they play an important role in enhancing the performance of both public and private sectors, especially in the areas of the economy, health, security and education. However, this widespread adoption has given rise to inescapable ethical and legal challenges.

Such challenges include the risks of bias or discrimination when building AI systems, in addition to issues of privacy and data protection. These and other concerns become even more prominent when potential errors in health protocol procedures impact patient health.

To understand this matter more deeply, Dr. Saleh Al-Barashdi, from the College of Law, published a research paper highlighting a number of practical applications that reveal bias or discrimination associated with the use of AI technologies, with the aim of raising awareness of these problems and developing appropriate solutions.

Dr. Al-Barashdi remarked that AI technologies have an amazing ability to recognise patterns, perform tasks and accurately and quickly make predictions, but these capabilities depend largely on the quality of the data they are fed. Therefore, he stated, it was crucial to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data used, since flawed data could lead to incorrect decisions, with potentially huge consequences affecting the course of events and decisions made by these technologies.

The paper discussed examples of discrimination that may occur when using AI technologies in various fields such as employment, advertising, pricing, insurance and banking. In reviewing the programs, it was revealed that bias could occur due to the designers or the data used, which underlines the need for ethical governance to address the risks associated with AI use.

The researcher pointed out that addressing these risks cannot be achieved through legal regulations only. He added that, although legislative intervention was necessary, it would not be sufficient in and of itself to provide fundamental and sustainable solutions. Ethical governance and technological controls that ensure a balance between innovation and accountability are also crucial.

Several countries are making significant strides in AI governance. In the United Kingdom, South Korea, India, Mexico and the European Union, for example, the public and private sectors are working together to develop regulations and technical standards that ensure the responsible use of these technologies and maximise their benefits while minimising potential risks.