AI Systems Need Procedural Justice to Build Trust and Legitimacy

In the constantly evolving landscape of technological advancements, artificial intelligence (AI) has marked its irreplaceable role. Yet, its increasing presence has surfaced important issues around accountability, bias, and transparency. As such, the concept of procedural justice, traditionally associated with the fairness of processes in legal systems, is becoming critically relevant to AI governance.

The application of AI can often result in conclusions that are complex and challenging to comprehend. These “black box” outcomes, coupled with their potential to reflect and propagate societal biases, underscore the importance of procedural justice in the AI domain. By introducing the elements of procedural justice, it can be ensured that AI algorithms don’t merely deliver solutions but also provide insights into how those solutions were reached. Furthermore, a procedural justice approach can help safeguard against bias by necessitating transparency in the data sources and methodologies used to develop AI systems.

Yet, infusing procedural justice into AI goes beyond merely addressing these technical challenges. It also involves fostering an environment where all stakeholders – including AI developers, users, and the wider society affected by AI decisions – participate in shaping the outcomes. By doing so, it can build a more robust foundation of trust and legitimacy around AI technologies.

However, ensuring procedural justice in AI demands a collective effort. The intricacies involved straddle the fields of technology, social sciences, and humanities. Therefore, addressing algorithmic bias and other associated issues necessitates a diverse group of experts who can bring different perspectives to the table.

An effective procedural justice approach also demands diverse perspectives in the decision-making processes, which means going beyond the immediate team and reaching out to experts across different disciplines and geographies. Engaging the broader public in the conversation, whether through user control, public comments on policies, or external audits, could also significantly contribute to creating more just and trustworthy AI systems.

As the world strides towards a future increasingly influenced by AI, it becomes more crucial than ever to confront the challenges head-on. The principles of procedural justice provide a compelling framework to navigate this path, building not only more effective and fair AI systems but also fostering much-needed trust among the public. As the world continues to harness AI’s transformative potential, it is upon people to ensure that it serves the greater good, aligning technology with shared values of fairness, transparency, and accountability.