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I am not in the AI ethics field, but I've watched multiple tech-adjacent disciplines that say "that's what engineering and product are for" get subsumed by engineering and product, who don't really care for a group that sees themselves above implementation. Based on history alone, that's what I expect to happen whether you agree with that or not, and I suspect this tension is driving at least part of the role of AI ethics at companies trying to turn profit.

by unknownfuture11 hours ago|

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I agree.

Specifically because in these companies they aren't optimizing for ethical behaviour.

They're optimizing for profit. And those damn ethicists just get in the way.

Funny thing: that doesn't typically happen to the internal legal counsel or accounting that's responsible for guiding processes/practices that are required for compliance or similar.

Why?

Because there's consequences.

by madrox11 hours ago|

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I don’t find that funny at all. AI didn’t invent the problem of balancing profit motives with ethical guard rails.

I wouldn’t be surprised if many AI ethics responsibilities move to legal in the future.

by EagnaIonat7 hours ago|

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> I'd argue folks in ethics roles shouldn't be responsible for actually creating the systems, processes, and practices required to put those concepts into practice. That's what engineering, product, and people leadership are for.

I agree with you, but then we have HR for a reason.

by skinfaxi11 hours ago|

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Haven't we seen from history that handing down policy from your ivory tower is a disservice to all involved? Or do we think out of touch politicians accurately represent the interests if their constituents?

Another example you might be familiar with is enterprise architects. When you spend all of your time in theory you lose sight of practical implications. Of course, since you only had the idea, when it doesn't go to your ideal it can always be blamed on the implementers.

by unknownfuture11 hours ago|

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> Haven't we seen from history that handing down policy from your ivory tower is a disservice to all involved?

I take it you've never worked with an in-house legal counsel, accounting department, or good ol' fashioned HR?