Generative AI and its consequences for society: perspectives on actively shaping the future

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing our society. Applications such as ChatGPT, Gemini and DeepSeek create realistic-looking images, compose music, conduct human-like conversations and translate almost in real time. Generative AI is thus not only shaping how we work, learn and communicate, but also increasingly how we as a society understand knowledge, creativity and responsibility. At the same time, however, its use raises social and ethical questions: How can human competence remain at the centre? How can we ensure authenticity and trust when AI content appears deceptively real? And what rules are necessary to combine innovation with fundamental ethical values, sustainability and social justice? The new brochure from Plattform Lernende Systeme shows how a value-oriented approach to generative AI can succeed and provides guidance, perspectives for action and food for thought.

The promises associated with generative AI by manufacturers seem almost all-encompassing: from increasing productivity, optimising supply chains and advances in medicine to solving global problems such as climate change and making everyday life easier. Generative AI uses large language models that calculate probability distributions for possible outputs and independently generate new results from them. This development has made great strides in recent years. However, the use of generative AI is also accompanied by discussions about potential dangers, such as cyber warfare, fake news, or a possible loss of control over autonomous AI systems – all of which are also potential threats to democratic societies.

A key decision in the development and design of generative AI therefore concerns how security and progress can be achieved and how generative AI can be designed to be inclusive, so that all social actors are involved. In addition, the emerging areas of tension must be identified at an early stage. In order to support value-oriented development, the sometimes conflicting interests and expectations must be negotiated and evaluated by society. For generative AI to be used responsibly, clear rules, ethical guidelines, transparent use and an awareness of social consequences are needed. Looking at possible future scenarios and areas of tension helps to shape the future at an early stage, rather than just reacting to it.

Active involvement and participation are essential

‘Human expertise and the ability to critically evaluate and correct generated content are indispensable. We must ensure that generative AI and human expertise interact meaningfully in a co-creation process in order to guarantee the reliability and quality of generated content,’ emphasises Prof. Dr. Ute Schmid, Otto Friedrich University of Bamberg and member of Plattform Lernende Systeme.

For companies and society as a whole, this means not only complying with legal requirements, but also actively addressing the question of what goals and limits should be set for the development and use of generative AI. Researchers need to develop tools and methods that can evaluate and certify generative AI with regard to these criteria and testing approaches. Here, approaches such as value-oriented technology design Ethics by Design are combined with technical testing procedures.

To minimise disinformation, it is important to always question content critically, check sources for trustworthiness and, in case of doubt, refrain from forwarding or sharing questionable content. In concrete terms, this means that in order to successfully shape the future with generative AI, a balance must be found between what users need to do – develop data and AI skills – and how the technology needs to be developed and designed – according to principles such as explainability and transparency.  

While generative AI as an all-purpose technology can simplify many processes in daily and professional life and open up new creative avenues, it is also important to promote the responsible and safe use of this technology. Responsible development of generative AI requires a balanced interplay of security, progress and participation. Human-centred applications, research into secure and transparent AI, and democratic decision-making processes can help to shape innovation in the interests of the common good.

About the brochure

The brochure ‘Zukunft gestalten: Generative KI und ihre gesellschaftlichen Folgen’ is available for free download.