IEEE White Paper

Autonomous and intelligent technical systems are specifically designed to reduce the necessity for human intervention in our day-to-day lives. In so doing, these new systems are also raising concerns about their impact on individuals and societies. Current discussions include advocacy for a positive impact, such as optimization of processes and resource usage, more informed planning and decisions, and recognition of useful patterns in big data. Discussions also include warnings about potential harm to privacy, discrimination, loss of skills, adverse economic impacts, risks to security of critical infrastructure, and possible negative long-term effects on societal well-being.