Visualizing Generative AI

Chapter 6. Building Responsible GenAI Applications

Chapter 6

Building Responsible GenAI Applications

In the 1993 Steven Spielberg movie Jurassic Park, Jeff Goldblum’s character Ian Malcolm says of the park’s reanimation of dinosaurs, “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.” GenAI is a powerful technology, and it’s worth keeping this admonishment in mind as you consider whether to use it to accomplish a specific task.

The field of study that looks into the ethical and societal considerations involved in developing, deploying, and using AI systems is called responsible AI. Its core principle is aligning AI behavior with human interests to ensure that AI systems promote benefits while avoiding or mitigating harm. In this chapter, we will discuss key considerations to keep in mind as you continue your journey in GenAI.

GenAI has the potential to reshape our lives in both positive and negative ways. GenAI assistants are not merely tools; with the increased deployment of agentic capabilities, they are becoming increasingly autonomous and capable of interacting with the world and influencing human behavior. Such autonomy, while offering potential benefits such as increased efficiency and personalized experiences, also introduces substantial risks. For instance, AI assistants could be used to spread misinformation, manipulate users, or exacerbate existing social inequalities. The potential for these negative consequences ...