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The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

Ethics in machine learning and AI is a very sensitive topic, as some algorithms may show subtle forms of discrimination unintentionally, yet it is designed to be neutral. A clever AI may not make direct decisions based on race or other sensitive factors but may, unintentionally, make biased decisions based on indirect indicators such as an applicant's address. It is crucial that all AI systems have transparency in them so that people know what happens and can challenge those decisions when appropriate

Ethics in machine learning and AI is a very sensitive topic, as some algorithms may show subtle forms of discrimination unintentionally, yet it is designed to be neutral. A clever AI may not make direct decisions based on race or other sensitive factors but may, unintentionally, make biased decisions based on indirect indicators such as an applicant's address. It is crucial that all AI systems have transparency in them so that people know what happens and can challenge those decisions when appropriate. In addition, predictability in AI behaviour is an important factor in societal trust and should be designed to resist manipulation and adversarial exploitation. Decisions made by AI should have clear responsibility to avoid bureaucratic blame-shifting. Ethical AI development should prioritize transparency, predictability, and accountability while taking into account the broader social implications of its use. While artificial intelligence today excels in specific tasks, it lacks general cognitive abilities, which is why Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is still a theoretical concept.

AGI would possess human-like adaptability, allowing it to handle a wide range of challenges. However, safety concerns arise when AGI operates in unpredictable environments, as engineers cannot foresee every possible failure. Unlike AI, human intelligence allows for flexible decision-making in unexpected situations. The issue is that it's hard to make AGI behave ethically because it requires a deep understanding of the long-term consequences of its actions. Hence, ethical reasoning needs to be incorporated into its design from the very beginning. As AI advances, some future systems will challenge moral status. Moral status is whether the interests and well-being of an entity should be considered in ethical decisions.

Presently, AI does not have the qualities, such as sentience and self-awareness, which typically give an entity moral status. However, if AI became sentient, it may deserve moral consideration similar to that of animals. Full moral status, like that of humans, would require both sentience and advanced reasoning abilities (sapience). The way an AI system is designed or the material it is made of (its substrate) should not determine its moral status—just as biological differences among humans do not. What matters is whether the entity is capable of experiencing consciousness and emotions. Similarly, the principle of ontogeny non-discrimination suggests that an entity's moral status should not depend on how it came into existence. Just as human moral worth is not affected by whether someone was born naturally or through assisted reproduction, AI should not be judged based on its method of creation. If human beings create an AI with a moral status, they may owe it special duties.

The difficult part is determining qualitative differences among beings and the implications of those differences for moral considerations. AI minds might also acquire characteristics quite alien to human cognition. They could display intelligent behaviour, but not as conscious as any human, complicating moral status determinations. Moreover, the way AI conceives time can be different from that of a human, creating further complications when dealing with moral dilemmas that relate to perception and identity. If AI can reproduce or transfer consciousness at phenomenal speeds, there is a challenge for ethical constructs to adapt their understanding of it. The evolution of AI presents new ethical challenges beyond traditional technologies. As AI continues to advance, ensuring its safety and ethical behaviour will require innovative approaches. When AI eventually attains a level of moral status, new ethical frameworks will be necessary. The real challenge is developing AI that not only avoids harm but promotes ethical behaviour by ensuring that its decisions align with human values and societal well-being.