Using Generative AI (GenAI) poses several ethical issues. Below are some important considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to use GenAI at Pratt and beyond. Click to learn more about each topic.
GenAI reflects the biases found in the data it is trained on. This can perpetuate and even amplify biased content such as stereotypes related to race, gender, and other factors of identity.
GenAI requires massive amounts of computing power to operate and train its models. To meet this need, many AI companies have built huge, energy-intensive Mega Data Centers with large carbon footprints. They are often constructed in areas where the impact is felt disproportionately by marginalized communities.
The mining and processing of metals and rare earth materials used for the electrical parts that build AI infrastructure has considerable environmental impacts.
GenAI companies have been accused of intellectual property theft, training their models on copyright-protected content without attribution or compensation.
GenAI tools might ingest user prompts and other inputs to expand the datasets on which they operate and train themselves further.
AI-data review companies often hire “data labellers” from exploitable labor markets, including prison populations and the Global South, paying low wages and failing to offer mental health support for the work they do labelling toxic and traumatic content in AI datasets.
AI automation in the workplace can force employees to retrain and reskill, requiring investments of time and money. At worst, AI automation can lead to job reductions and even eliminations.
AI in the workforce can lead to a widening gap between lower-skilled and higher-skilled jobs, exacerbating social and economic inequities domestically and globally.
When using GenAI, your inputs—which might contain personal or confidential information—can be collected, sold, and even used to further train the AI model.
Personal information included in GenAI inputs could be exposed if included in responses to prompts by other users.
With AI, there is the possibility of data breaches and surveillance.
GenAI use at Pratt is determined by each professor for each course. Students should confirm with their professors what restrictions, if any, there are for GenAI use in their particular courses.
Some uses of GenAI may be considered plagiarism or cheating.
Just as one would cite books, articles, social media posts, and other sources for papers and presentations, students should acknowledge, describe, and cite their use of AI.