This past August, the Open Voice Network (OVON), under the auspices of The Linux Foundation, successfully launched its Ethical Principles for Conversational AI course on edX! Guided by the principles of their TrustMark Initiative and carefully developed by OVON’s Ethical Use Task Force, this course has empowered organizations across the globe to create more trustworthy and ethics-based AI interactions. From the United States and Belgium to India and Japan, the course has been completed by users from 27 countries – and OVON looks to continue spreading awareness even further.
The vision for this course was cultivated from OVON’s TrustMark Initiative, where voice and conversational AI interactions are backed by six equally important pillars: transparency, inclusivity, accountability, sustainability, privacy, and compliance. The Open Voice Network strived to develop a course that would inspire business leaders and organizations to secure a shared future that upholds these ethical principles.
The Ethical Principles for Conversational AI course discusses the use of voice technology to provide access to the digital world and bring improvements to individual’s everyday lives, as well as the importance this technology holds. Voice and conversational AI technology has the potential to improve accessibility, productivity, and convenience for users worldwide. However, with the evolution of this technology, there come dozens of pressing questions that must be addressed. Some of the questions OVON poses to course enrollees include:
- What are conversational AI or voice-specific issues of ethical and moral concern, and how do we define them?
- What are the values to be promoted for ethical interaction with voice and conversational AI technology?
- What preventative measures can we take to protect people from specific harm?
With such rapid advances in voice and conversational AI technology, it’s important to recognize the impact that these technologies can and will have on users, as well as the ethical challenges inherent in conversational AI – such as those related to privacy, data collection, user vulnerabilities, and cultural biases. This course provides actionable principles and guidelines to ensure ethical transactions and user value with every AI interaction.
From this course, you will gain insight in:
- the value of voice and conversational AI, and how it will enhance the lives of individuals and the livelihood of organizations
- ethical dilemmas posed by voice and conversational AI
- guidance on promoting and protecting ethical values and preventing harm
The Open Voice Network invites you to explore the fast-paced world of conversational AI and voice technology, all while ensuring that ethics and responsible practices remain at the forefront of every AI interaction. Visit the edX course page to learn more and enroll today. Join the conversation and help shape the future of voice and conversational AI technology.
