By Roya Rafei, Rutgers Today
A Rutgers law professor has been leading a federal initiative to ensure that artificial intelligence used in a growing number of sectors including education, employment, finance, and health care is trustworthy and safe.
Distinguished Professor Ellen P. Goodman worked with a team at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for about a year, seeking input from industry and the public on ways government can appropriately guide and regulate the use of AI. The Artificial Intelligence Accountability Policy Report she authored was released March 27.
“AI is a tool like software is a tool, electricity is a tool and transportation systems are tools,’’ said Goodman, who is also the co-director of the Rutgers Institute for Information Policy and Law.
The report calls for improved transparency into AI systems, independent evaluations to verify the claims made about these systems, and consequences for imposing unacceptable risks or making unfounded claims, according to a press release.
“AI is being incorporated into all kinds of applications and processes like employment, health care, criminal justice, information and legal services, and transportation and climate response,’’ Goodman said. “These tools are here and they are spreading so the question is, how can they be managed in a way to maximize the benefits and mitigate the risks?