Ethical Considerations and Potential Risks in the Deployment of Large Language Models in Diverse Societal Contexts
Udara Piyasena Liyanage
Department of Mathematics, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya 11600, Sri Lanka
Nimnaka Dilshan Ranaweera
Department of Computer Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa 10400, Sri Lanka
Abstract
The integration of large language models (LLMs) into various societal applications brings forth a plethora of ethical challenges and potential risks. One primary concern is the perpetuation and amplification of biases present in the training data of LLMs. This risk is acutely pronounced in diverse societal contexts, potentially leading to unfair or harmful outcomes, especially for marginalized groups through stereotypical or discriminatory content generation. Additionally, privacy concerns emerge due to LLMs' potential to inadvertently memorize and disclose sensitive personal information, a significant issue in environments with varying data protection norms. Another critical risk is the use of LLMs in spreading misinformation and manipulation, with profound implications in political, social, and personal spheres, such as influencing elections or facilitating scams. The increasing dependence on LLMs for various tasks might result in human skill degradation, particularly concerning in educational and professional contexts. Accountability and transparency issues also arise, given the difficulty in pinpointing responsibility for LLM outputs and the "black box" nature of these models. Economically, LLMs pose a threat of job displacement in certain sectors due to their ability to automate tasks traditionally performed by humans, necessitating societal adjustments and new workforce training approaches. Cultural homogenization is another concern, as the dominance of specific languages and cultures in LLM training data might lead to the underrepresentation or misrepresentation of minority cultures. Furthermore, the uneven distribution of LLM benefits exacerbates the digital divide, potentially leaving individuals without advanced technology access behind. The application of LLMs in sensitive fields like healthcare, legal, or law enforcement raises unique ethical considerations, as incorrect or biased advice can have dire consequences.
Author Biographies
Udara Piyasena Liyanage, Department of Mathematics, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya 11600, Sri Lanka
Nimnaka Dilshan Ranaweera, Department of Computer Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa 10400, Sri Lanka
