Artificial Intelligence or the Ultimate Tool for Conservatism

Artificial intelligence (AI) is foremost viewed as a technologically revolutionary tool, however, the author discusses here whether it is in fact a tool for socio-economic and legal conservatism, because its training data is always embedded in the past. The aim of this paper is to explain, exemplify and predict – whether and how – AI could cause discrimination, stagnation and uniformization by conserving what is relayed even by the most representative data. Furthermore, the author aims to propose possible legal barriers to these phenomena. The presented hypotheses are based upon empirical research and socioeconomic or legal mechanisms, aiming to predict possible results of AI applications under specific conditions. Results indicate that the inherent AI conservatism could indeed cause severe discrimination, stagnation and uniformization, especially if its applications were to remain unquestioned and unregulated. Hopefully, the proposed legal solutions could limit the scope and effectiveness of AI conservatism, encouraging AI-related solutions.