Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an important tool in various fields, from energy, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare to agriculture, law, and governance. One significant advancement is Generative AI (GenAI), which is changing how we use technology and make decisions. However, it is essential to adopt AI in a way that values human needs. A human-centered AI approach prioritizes the needs, values, and capabilities of humans, which in turn helps build trust and connection among organizations and users of AI, including employees and customers.
GenAI, and now Agentic AI, is already bringing in change in industries by automating time-consuming tasks and assisting in decision-making. A report by EY estimates that India has the potential to add US$359 billion to US$438 billion to its GDP on account of Gen AI adoption in 2029-30 over and above its baseline.
However, while GenAI offers many benefits, there are also questions around accuracy, bias, hallucinations, data privacy, and intellectual property, making it crucial to balance its advantages with the need for fairness and accountability.
Collaboration for success
To fully realize the potential of human-centered AI, collaboration among legal professionals, technologists, policymakers, and stakeholders is crucial. Such an interdisciplinary approach enables a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by human-centered AI. Investing in research and developing explainable AI algorithms and bias mitigation techniques is a major step in integrating Responsible AI. Open dialogue and knowledge sharing between stakeholders is essential, as we adapt to the evolving AI landscape.
Implementing a human-centered approach
To effectively implement a human-centered AI approach, organizations could consider the following strategies:
- Build a culture of innovation:
Encourage an environment that embraces experimentation and creativity. Form cross-functional teams with diverse perspectives to design AI solutions that are both effective and ethically sound.
- Invest in training and development:
Provide employees with the skills required to work along with AI technologies. Training programs can improve productivity, while addressing concerns about job displacement, creating a more involved workforce and enhancing employee engagement.
- Establish ethical guidelines:
Develop a comprehensive framework for ethical use of AI. Collaborate with stakeholders to create ethical guidelines that address issues such as bias, privacy, and accountability. Conduct regular audits of AI systems to ensure adherence to these principles.
- Engage with stakeholders:
Maintain ongoing communication with customers, employees, and other stakeholders to understand their needs and concerns. Feedback loops can help refine AI systems to better align with human values, building trust and loyalty.
- Measure and communicate ROI:
Establish metrics to evaluate the impact of human-centered AI initiatives on business outcomes. Share these results with stakeholders to demonstrate the value of ethical AI practices and to gain continued support for future projects.
Human-centered approach in sectors
There are various sectors where integrating ethical AI is very apparent. For instance, integration of AI into healthcare, education, and public services highlights the need for a human-centered AI approach. In healthcare, while AI can automate administrative tasks and improve diagnostics, it is essential to ensure that these technologies do not undermine patient trust or care quality. Flawed outcomes in social schemes can harm social welfare or employment. Data privacy and security risks are concerns in the education sector.
