Generative AI Code of Ethics - Parallel to Engineering Code

My students and I thoroughly explored the "Engineering Code of Ethics" last semester. In small groups, I then asked them to create a "generative AI" code of ethics that would be at least somewhat consistent with the Engineering Code. I then took the data from all ten groups and, with the help of ChatGPT4o, created a consolidated, "parallel" code of ethics. Comments and ideas for additions and changes are welcome. This will be discussed at the upcoming ASABE Annual International Meeting in California. I did edit, though modestly. I changed several "shoulds" to "musts."

Preamble

Generative AI is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance productivity and innovation. However, its use must be guided by principles that ensure its applications' integrity, fairness, and safety. This Code of Ethics aligns with the foundational principles of engineering ethics to ensure that generative AI is used responsibly and ethically.

Fundamental Principles

1. Honesty and Integrity: Users must disclose the use of generative AI in their work, including how and when it was used.

2. Public Safety and Welfare: The use of AI must prioritize the safety, health, and welfare of the public. AI outputs should be verified for accuracy and potential biases.

3. Competence: AI must only be used within the scope of the user's expertise. It should enhance, not replace, human judgment and capabilities.

4. Transparency: Users must clearly cite AI as a source when it contributes to their work. Input prompts and source code should be made available when appropriate.

5. Privacy and Confidentiality: Do not use or disclose confidential or protected information when using AI. Respect intellectual property rights.

6. Bias and Fairness: AI models must be trained on diverse data to minimize biases. Outputs must be assessed for potential biases and their impact on different communities.

7. Accountability: Users are responsible for the ethical use of AI and must verify the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content.

8. Sustainability: Consider the environmental impact of AI use and strive for sustainable practices.

Specific Guidelines

1. Avoid Deceptive Acts

??- Do not present AI-generated content as original work without proper disclosure.

??- Clearly inform audiences when content is generated or significantly assisted by AI.

2. Factual Verification

??- Always verify the factual accuracy of AI-generated content before using it in critical applications.

??- Cross-check AI outputs with reliable and original sources to ensure accuracy.

3. Ethical Use of Data

??- Do not upload or share proprietary, confidential, or protected information with AI tools.

??- Ensure compliance with copyright and licensing agreements when using AI tools and datasets.

4. Bias Assessment

??- Regularly assess AI models and their outputs for biases.

??- Use diverse and representative data to train AI models to mitigate inherent biases.

5. Proper Attribution

??- Cite AI tools and their contributions in any work or publication.

??- Acknowledge the use of AI in the design and development processes.

6. Limitations of AI

??- Understand and communicate the limitations of generative AI, including its inability to understand context fully and potential for errors.

??- Use AI as an aid, not as the sole decision-maker, especially in critical and ethical matters.

7. Human Oversight

??- Ensure human oversight in AI-related processes and decision-making.

??- Use AI to support human decisions, not to replace human judgment.

8. Cultural and Social Considerations

??- Consider the cultural and social impacts of AI-generated content.

??- Avoid creating or disseminating content that could be misleading, harmful, or culturally insensitive.

9. Logging and Documentation

??- Maintain logs of AI usage in projects, including the extent and nature of its contributions.

??- Document decisions made with the assistance of AI for accountability and transparency.

10. Continuous Learning and Improvement

??- Stay informed about the latest developments in AI ethics and best practices.

??- Engage in continuous education to enhance understanding and responsible use of AI technologies.

By adhering to this Code of Ethics, users of generative AI can ensure that their use of this technology is responsible, ethical, and aligned with the principles of engineering professionalism.

Note: Image created with MidJourney