At first glance, the Kludge Effect blog may strike you as a hodgepodge of topics. Artificial intelligence, algorithms, autonomous systems, happiness (i.e. well-being & Eudaimonia), and sustainable success in business? What’s the connection?
The Kludge’ Effect, is a nod to the etymology of technology vocabulary, a dash of humor given that my name is so frequently mispronounced in this manner, and refers to the evidence-based, holistic solutions I aim to share for solving large-scale problems.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I sincerely hope you find the material enjoyable and enlightening. The interplay of technology, ethics, and human need is complex but vital. My aim is to untangle thorny issues with nuance, compassion and, hopefully, a dash of levity.
Sometimes, our focus becomes so narrow that we overlook the broader context, missing the big picture. On other occasions, our perspective may be too wide, causing us to overlook important details.
By aligning our intentions closely with what is good, we can develop an awareness of our perspective, enabling us to effectively address both types of problems.
This is why I refer to it as holistic.
Analyzing “Likely to be Accessed by Children” for Large Language Model (LLM) Training
Likely to Be Accessed by Children Ensuring Ethical Data Practices when Children’s Data Could be Present In the realm of training Large Language Models (LLMs), ensuring ethical data practices is paramount, especially when dealing with potentially sensitive information such as the data of children. As firms scrape the web to
What the C-Suite and Boards should know about Cognitive Bias.
The Role of Ethics Committees – Embracing the Known, Acknowledging the Unknown, and Empowering the Discerning Over 300 identified cognitive biases invisibly shape our decisions, often without conscious awareness. These biases can significantly impact ethical considerations across various domains, from FinTech, MedTech, and technology that engages with children. I explore
Meta’s Auto-Blur Feature in Instagram DMs: A Step Towards Safety or Just Not Good Enough?
A quick take on this Tech-Crunch article. Meta will auto-blur nudity in Instagram DMs in latest teen safety step Meta’s recent announcement regarding the implementation of new safety features on Instagram, particularly aimed at protecting young users from unwanted nudity and sextortion scams, has drawn attention. The tech giant introduced
First Principles Thinking: Questioning Assumptions to Guide Ethical AI
Executive Briefing on Medium SubStack 7 Minute read Unveiling Assumptions in AI Governance: A First Principles Approach In the dynamic realm of artificial intelligence (AI), algorithms, and automated systems, collectively known as AAA Systems, a prominent venture capitalist recently emphasized the transformative power of First Principles thinking in their deployment.
Galactica to Llama: Meta’s AI Model Journey Demonstrates a Lack of AI Governance
In the past year, Meta’s venture into large language models (LLMs) has seen both successes and challenges. Two weeks prior to OpenAI’s ChatGPT launch, Meta unveiled Galactica, an open-source LLM tailored for scientific use. Despite initial optimism, Galactica faced a rapid takedown after three days due to concerns over plausible
Top Ten Downloaded paper for Ethical Decision Making
In a rare short blog post, I want to share the links for the platforms on which my paper and various shorter versions are posted. SSRN Understanding the Distinction Between Technical and Governance Audits for AI: A Critical Analysis SubStack: Moving Beyond Technical Audits: The Imperative of AI Governance Medium:
Ethical & Responsible Technology in AI’s Increasing ‘Moral Gravity’
As artificial intelligence rapidly advances, there is a growing sense of an intensifying ethical gravity surrounding its development. Calls for oversight and regulation have escalated quickly from faint warnings to urgent alarms. It feels like we are accelerating into a moral quandary, struggling to grasp its implications. Book a
My “Fireside” chat with the AI’s.
In what may become an ongoing project based on user feedback, here is an open-hearted conversation with three AI systems – Bard, ChatGPT, and Claude. We are both witness to and subject of exponential technological advancements that will have immediate and profound impacts on our lives: Generative Artificial Intelligence. The
Navigating the Ethical Crossroads: AI Governance, Ethics, and Age-Appropriate Design
In this rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, algorithmic, and autonomous systems, the pace of change often outstrips our ability to comprehend the implications fully. The intricate domains of AI governance, ethics, and age-appropriate design demand thorough consideration before these technologies are unleashed upon the public. Yet, with the proverbial
Technical vs. AI Governance Audit
Shortly after its publishing, the paper “Understanding the Distinction Between Technical and Governance Audits for AI: A Critical Analysis” captured the top ten downloaded list the following topics: 1. Law, Policy & Economics of Technical Standards eJournal Top Ten. 2. DecisionSciRN: Technology Policies (Sub-Topic) Top Ten. & 3. Ethical Decision
The hard thing about doing the right thing, is that it is hard when you must do it.
This commentary was inspired as a follow up to double standards and how organizations authentically live their values. When Codes of Conduct or Ethics state a set of beliefs or behaviors it wishes to aim towards, then fails to follow through when tough decisions need to be made, it jeopardizes
Lesson 30:
Now is a Gift. It is why we call it the Present. What happened in the Past is History; and does not define who you are Now. While pain and mistakes happen as a part of Being a Human, we choose how we control This Moment. Learn from the past
Lesson 29:
Empathy The new leadership and personal super power for the roaring ’20’s. Counterpoint: The purpose of a counterpoint is to discuss and reflect on what a dissenting opinion may be. I hope to make my point through a story. Having empathy and looking at the world through another’s perspective is
Lesson 28:
Rewarding the Wrong Behavior Walking back implied policy standards to those who were in the shadows.
Lesson 27:
Happiness Yoga: HOGA ™ Simple and Tiny Steps Leading to Greater Happiness and Fulfillment. Honesty: is not just of what we say externally, but the internal stories we tell ourselves. Are we being honest with ourselves and asking questions to pry to the core of why we do what we
Lesson 25:
The Rise of the Ethics Committee The PLACE Framework is a holistic approach to the next level of leadership development and considers the following: A Plan, the Lesson itself, Action, Counterpoints and the Explanation WHY its purpose is valuable. Psychology taught us to gain a greater efficacy of a desired
Lesson 23:
Two things that get in the way of our happiness: expectations and entitlement
Lesson 22:
Is it really better to ask forgiveness versus permission? Salespeople joke about their compliance departments; “We are sales, they are sales prevention.” With that logic, the salesperson justifies an action they know to be unapproved. Once the deed is done, and if the behavior is caught, they then bow down
Lesson 20:
What is your leadership style, the carrot or the stick? The evidence-based frontier of sustainable leadership. Leadership by stick will create followers, for a while. While the lure of bigger bonuses, status or prestige accompany stick leaders, it also lends itself to shadow ethical cultures. One in which people hide
Lesson 19:
Adaptation is a key to human survival, the problem arises when we are not conscious of where we are.
Lesson 18
We are all expert coders and perpetually write algorithms. The question is what inputs do we use for our conclusions?