Can a ProSocial AI Index Shape a Better Future for Humanity?

by Kay Lee

In a world driven by rapid technological advancements, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) has penetrated every facet of our societies. However, while technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, the question arises: Are these technologies truly beneficial to society, or are we losing sight of what truly matters?

The Urgent Push for a ProSocial AI Index

There’s a growing consensus that AI systems need an evaluation framework that goes beyond technical metrics. According to Forbes, while current benchmarks measure processing speed or accuracy, these metrics miss the bigger picture — the social impact of AI on human relationships and the environment. The call for a ProSocial AI Index is not just timely but critical, as AI systems are capable of both cooperation and irreversible harm.

Escaping the Measurement Trap

The dominance of purely technical evaluations can be likened to valuing a hospital solely based on how quickly patients are seen, without considering if they actually get well. To avoid this pitfall, we should ask pressing questions: Does AI enhance human agency? Is it promoting environmental sustainability? Can it decrease inequality instead of amplifying it?

The danger lies in focusing exclusively on technical metrics while ignoring wider societal impacts. As we optimize AI systems for isolated tasks, we risk creating tools that, despite their precision, fail to serve human flourishing.

Introducing the Comprehensive 4T Framework

The ProSocial AI Index rests on the 4T framework — Tailored, Trained, Tested, and Targeted — leading AI evaluation from techno-centric to a socio-centric model. AI systems need to be tailored to community needs, trained on inclusive datasets, rigorously tested on social and ethical impacts, and targeted toward prosocial outcomes.

These pillars guide AI development towards more holistic evaluations, demanding we consider how AI fits into the broad tapestry of human and planetary systems.

Embracing Values-Led AI Development

The integration of universal ethical principles and the Golden Rule — treating others as we’d want to be treated — into AI offers a universal framework. This values-led approach ensures AI serves beyond organizational interests, challenging us to ponder its wider impact.

Would we want our AI decisions to shape the world for our children, or dictate the environmental stewardship of our planet?

The Potential of a ProSocial AI Index

A robust ProSocial AI Index serves multiple roles: as an assessment tool for users, a guide for organizations, and a policy framework for nations. Individuals gain insights into the AI tools they use, organizations refine their deployments, and governments forge inclusive AI strategies.

From Testing to Transformation

To make the ProSocial AI Index actionable:

  • Tailored Audits: Examine AI’s cultural responsiveness and community engagement.
  • Diverse Data Training: Ensure datasets encompass a wide human spectrum, mitigating biases.
  • Thorough Testing: Analyze effects across social, environmental, and ethical dimensions.
  • Targeted Impact: Measure and adjust AI for clear, prosocial benefits.

By asking the unasked and measuring beyond the obvious, we reveal hidden impacts of our digital systems.

A Gateway to a Holistic AI Future

The embrace of a ProSocial AI Index isn’t just an academic challenge — it’s a moral call and practical path for a future where technology and humanity thrive together. By choosing holistic evaluation frameworks, we open a road toward a brighter future, one where technology serves the aspirations of both people and the planet.

Are we prepared to take this meaningful step and reorient AI for the greater good?