Consider a world in which artificial intelligence (AI) systems decide who receives a scholarship, who gets hired, or who is flagged at the airport.

It may sound futuristic, but these scenarios are already unfolding. No longer confined to science fiction, AI is embedded in our daily lives, influencing decisions that affect individuals and entire communities.

AI systems are designed to learn, think, and make decisions in ways that mimic human  intelligence. This technology brings incredible opportunities  but also raises critical questions: Can AI be trusted to act fairly, safely, and in the best interests of all?

To answer this, enter the Responsible AI framework to make sure these systems are designed and used in ways that are ethical, fair, and beneficial to all, not just a few. Beyond Ethical AI, the framework begins with responsible action in mind.

Firstly, What Exactly is AI?

AI is the “brain” behind things like:

• The face unlock feature on your phone.
• The For You Page (FYP) videos on TikTok.
• Smart teammates or rivals in games like FIFA, Fortnite, or Valorant.
• Navigation apps like Waze adjust routes in real time to account for traffic.

AI works by learning from data. But here’s the catch: if the data is unfair or incomplete , the AI can behave unfairly too.

For example, when AI goes wrong  in games, particularly in matchmaking players and challenges to suit their experiences, the system might push users into harder matches and get them to buy upgrades.

In schools, some grading algorithms have been known to unfairly rank students from less wealthy backgrounds.

In more critical systems, such as healthcare, AI might misdiagnose and recommend a treatment that should differ between adults and adolescents due to biases in behavioural monitoring.

These are not just technical errors; they are ethical issues. It is about fairness, trust, and human dignity.

Gamers understand this more than we think. If you are a gamer, you already get it: unfair matches, overpowered enemies, broken in-game economies and bots that cheat or ban the wrong players.

As gamers, that instinct to question, tweak, and balance what happens in your favourite games is exactly what we need in the real-world tech space. Gamers think like system designers, and that’s powerful.

AI in Malaysia: Big Dreams, Big Responsibility

Malaysia’s journey into AI brings exciting opportunities, from smarter cities, better learning tools, and improved healthcare. As these ambitions expand, so does the responsibility to ensure that every AI system is fair, protects personal data, provides clear explanations for its decisions, and especially has accountable oversight when issues arise.

Responsible AI creation necessitates involving everyone: beyond coders and tech companies, the process should also involve engineers, educators, policymakers, and, yes, young people. They do not need a degree to start thinking responsibly about AI. As a society, we need to foster the following five elements:

• Be curious. Ask questions like, “How does this app or game work? Is it fair?”
• Train yourself to spot bias and its elements with questions like, “Are certain voices, faces, or groups being left out?”
• Explore AI and ethics through free online courses, YouTube, or school clubs.
• If something feels wrong in any technology, do not hesitate to speak out. Express yourselves in appropriate ways using suitable platforms.
• Explore and create your own ethical tech project, app, or game idea. Create a project you’re proud of, one that shows your values and your understanding of responsible AI. When you “own” your creation, you shape technology that helps others.

Final Thoughts

AI systems resemble game engines; they reflect the values of their creators and users. Feeding them fairness, creativity, and care ensures technologies that benefit all.

Ignoring the ethical implications of algorithms risks building systems that are efficient yet unjust.

The next generation of innovators, designers, and users holds the power to shape AI’s future.

With curiosity, critical thinking, a sense of responsibility, and ethical design, a future is possible in which AI is not only intelligent but also profoundly responsible.

Prepared By:
Dr Asma’ Abu Samah and Associate Professor Dr Nor Fadzilah Abdullah