ARISE Project Work Package 2
Pedagogical Framework
Module 4: AI Ethics and GDPR
ADAPTORA Ltd., Cyprus
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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| Module Title | Module 4: ai eTHICS AND GDPR |
|---|---|
| Learning Objectives | Module 4 aims to:
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| Learning Outcomes | Through Module 4, learners will be able to:
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1. Introduction
Since 2010, the world has experienced an exponential growth in the value of personal data and an extremely rapid development of Artificial Intelligence. Both have fundamentally reshaped how societies function, how businesses operate, and how people interact with technology in home-use and professional contexts. AI-driven solutions are becoming deeply embedded in everyday life; from personalised online services to automated decision-making systems across all sectors of the market (healthcare, finance, entrepreneurship, creative industries, and business governance). While AI-driven innovation offers unprecedented opportunities for boosting business efficiency, innovation, and economic growth, they also raise concerns about ethics, accountability, privacy, and security.
On one hand, businesses and governments all over the world seek to leverage AI and data analytics to drive progress, improve services, and remain competitive in the global economy. On the other hand, there is a growing recognition that unchecked technological development can lead to unintended consequences such as bias in automated systems, misuse of personal data (both intentional and unintentional), erosion of privacy, and increased vulnerability to cybercrime.
The benefits of AI are unquestionable; however, just like every new technology, there are a few associated risks that should be considered. Comprehension of the benefits and risks associated with the use of AI in everyday work environments allows for a more balanced and responsible approach to its implementation.
| Benefits | Risks |
|---|---|
| 1. Efficiency through automation of repetitive tasks | Overreliance on AI can potentially reduce employee engagement and critical thinking skills |
| 2. Increased productivity and time management | Pressure by employers to rely on AI tools without human oversight may lead to rushed, low-quality work |
| 3. Reduction of human error | AI systems can still produce incorrect or misleading results (“hallucinations”) that may go unnoticed and compromise the quality of the work |
| 4. Data-driven, informed decision-making | Decisions, and especially those affecting people, may become overly dependent on AI, ignoring significant qualitative contextual factors |
| 5. Accessibility and ease to apply for jobs on recruitment platforms (drafting CVs and Cover Letters, job searching) | Automatic rejections of qualified candidates due to biased candidate filtering algorithms |
| 6. Enhanced creativity and idea generation | Results may be generic and unoriginal, while raising concerns about copyrights and ownership |
| 7. Personalisation of services and interactions with customers | Excessive personal data collection and use may compromise privacy, leading to data breaches |
| 8. Improved accessibility, in the form of assistive tools for professionals with disabilities | Poorly designed tools may exclude user groups with disabilities that were not considered during development |
| 9. Fast problem-solving and retrieval of information | Users may accept answers generated by AI without verification, leading to errors and poor-quality work |
| 10. Cost reduction for businesses, especially micro and small businesses | Potential job displacement and reduced demand for certain roles, specifically in IT and creative positions (graphic designers, illustrators, etc.) |
Module 4 focuses on everyday “ethical challenges” related to the use of Artificial Intelligence. It presents examples of common challenges that professionals encounter, and aims to provide insights on good practices of Ethical AI Use and GDPR-compliant practices through practical examples. In addition, it aims to introduce learners to the regulatory frameworks enforced by the European Union; all professionals need to be aware of these frameworks, in order to be mindful of the practical aspects of using AI-powered technology, as well as managing and securing data in increasingly complex, hybrid work environments.