Apple's use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its business practices remains shrouded in mystery to the general public. Shareholders recently voted against a proposal requesting transparency on the tech giant's AI utilization and ethical considerations. The measure, put forth by AFL-CIO Equity Index Funds, the largest US labor union federation, aimed to shed light on how companies like Apple, Disney, Netflix, and Warner Brothers Discovery employ AI.
The AFL-CIO emphasized the importance of transparent ethical guidelines surrounding AI to safeguard workers, consumers, and the public from potential negative impacts of this evolving technology. The group also stressed the need for companies to protect the intellectual property rights of creators, advocating against AI systems being trained on copyrighted works without proper consent and compensation.
Despite these calls for transparency, Apple's major shareholders expressed concerns that divulging too much about the company's AI technology could compromise its competitive edge. This decision highlights the delicate balance between transparency and maintaining a strategic advantage in the tech industry.
Disney shareholders are set to address a similar proposal at their upcoming annual meeting in April, indicating a growing trend towards increased scrutiny and accountability regarding AI practices among major corporations.
