Ethical Challenges in the Development of Virtual Assistants Powered by Large Language Models
Virtual assistants (VAs) have gained widespread popularity across a wide range of applications, and the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, has opened up new possibilities for developing even more sophisticated VAs. However, this integration poses new ethical issues and cha...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Electronics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/12/14/3170 |
| _version_ | 1797589519258615808 |
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| author | Andrés Piñeiro-Martín Carmen García-Mateo Laura Docío-Fernández María del Carmen López-Pérez |
| author_facet | Andrés Piñeiro-Martín Carmen García-Mateo Laura Docío-Fernández María del Carmen López-Pérez |
| author_sort | Andrés Piñeiro-Martín |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Virtual assistants (VAs) have gained widespread popularity across a wide range of applications, and the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, has opened up new possibilities for developing even more sophisticated VAs. However, this integration poses new ethical issues and challenges that must be carefully considered, particularly as these systems are increasingly used in public services: transfer of personal data, decision-making transparency, potential biases, and privacy risks. This paper, an extension of the work presented at IberSPEECH 2022, analyzes the current regulatory framework for AI-based VAs in Europe and delves into ethical issues in depth, examining potential benefits and drawbacks of integrating LLMs with VAs. Based on the analysis, this paper argues that the development and use of VAs powered by LLMs should be guided by a set of ethical principles that prioritize transparency, fairness, and harm prevention. The paper presents specific guidelines for the ethical use and development of this technology, including recommendations for data privacy, bias mitigation, and user control. By implementing these guidelines, the potential benefits of VAs powered by LLMs can be fully realized while minimizing the risks of harm and ensuring that ethical considerations are at the forefront of the development process. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:07:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-53053767e53c4151a7d9ec3afc15fd19 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-9292 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:07:37Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Electronics |
| spelling | doaj.art-53053767e53c4151a7d9ec3afc15fd192023-11-18T19:06:53ZengMDPI AGElectronics2079-92922023-07-011214317010.3390/electronics12143170Ethical Challenges in the Development of Virtual Assistants Powered by Large Language ModelsAndrés Piñeiro-Martín0Carmen García-Mateo1Laura Docío-Fernández2María del Carmen López-Pérez3Balidea Consulting & Programming S.L., Witland Building, Camiños da Vida Street, 15701 Santiago de Compostela, SpainGTM Research Group, AtlanTTic Research Center, University of Vigo, Maxwell Street, 36310 Vigo, SpainGTM Research Group, AtlanTTic Research Center, University of Vigo, Maxwell Street, 36310 Vigo, SpainGTM Research Group, AtlanTTic Research Center, University of Vigo, Maxwell Street, 36310 Vigo, SpainVirtual assistants (VAs) have gained widespread popularity across a wide range of applications, and the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, has opened up new possibilities for developing even more sophisticated VAs. However, this integration poses new ethical issues and challenges that must be carefully considered, particularly as these systems are increasingly used in public services: transfer of personal data, decision-making transparency, potential biases, and privacy risks. This paper, an extension of the work presented at IberSPEECH 2022, analyzes the current regulatory framework for AI-based VAs in Europe and delves into ethical issues in depth, examining potential benefits and drawbacks of integrating LLMs with VAs. Based on the analysis, this paper argues that the development and use of VAs powered by LLMs should be guided by a set of ethical principles that prioritize transparency, fairness, and harm prevention. The paper presents specific guidelines for the ethical use and development of this technology, including recommendations for data privacy, bias mitigation, and user control. By implementing these guidelines, the potential benefits of VAs powered by LLMs can be fully realized while minimizing the risks of harm and ensuring that ethical considerations are at the forefront of the development process.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/12/14/3170ethical challengesvirtual assistantsLarge Language Modelsethical AIethical guidelinesdata privacy |
| spellingShingle | Andrés Piñeiro-Martín Carmen García-Mateo Laura Docío-Fernández María del Carmen López-Pérez Ethical Challenges in the Development of Virtual Assistants Powered by Large Language Models Electronics ethical challenges virtual assistants Large Language Models ethical AI ethical guidelines data privacy |
| title | Ethical Challenges in the Development of Virtual Assistants Powered by Large Language Models |
| title_full | Ethical Challenges in the Development of Virtual Assistants Powered by Large Language Models |
| title_fullStr | Ethical Challenges in the Development of Virtual Assistants Powered by Large Language Models |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ethical Challenges in the Development of Virtual Assistants Powered by Large Language Models |
| title_short | Ethical Challenges in the Development of Virtual Assistants Powered by Large Language Models |
| title_sort | ethical challenges in the development of virtual assistants powered by large language models |
| topic | ethical challenges virtual assistants Large Language Models ethical AI ethical guidelines data privacy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/12/14/3170 |
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