Ethics and Artificial Intelligence: Exploring Key Ethical Concerns

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of the ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence. It begins with a definition of ethics and AI ethics, outlining the major theories of ethics. The introduction highlights the rapid adoption of AI and machine learning across society, emphasizing its potential benefits alongside emerging risks like algorithmic bias, privacy concerns, and market manipulation. The essay then explores specific ethical issues, including unemployment due to automation, the potential for increased inequality in wealth distribution, the impact on human behavior, and the dangers of artificial stupidity, racist robots, and security threats. It also touches upon the concept of singularity and the question of robots' rights. The essay concludes by emphasizing the need for policy responses to address the rapid development of AI technologies, including establishing regulations and guidelines. The document is a student's contribution to Desklib, a platform offering AI-based study tools.

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Ethics and Artificial Intelligence
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An overview of ethics
An overview of ethics
Ethics can be described as a set of moral principles that guide human behavior or group
behavior. Therefore Artificial Intelligence ethics can be defined as a set of ethical principles that
guide and regulate the development and use of Artificial intelligence systems. Ethics is judged
based on universal values present in the world. The following are the three major theories of
ethics (Fieser J, IEP):-Meta-ethics deals with the moral propositions and theoretical meaning of
ethics, and how to determine the truth behind things. Normative ethics is all about a practical
perspective, on how to adopt an ethical and moral approach to solve problems. Applied ethics
deals with the process of using the principles of ethics to resolve day-to-day issues, on what
course of action should be adopted from an ethical point of view.
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence systems and the use of machine learning are adopted at a very
alarming speed, across society. Many artificial intelligence algorithms are developed each day,
which executes and process datasets very fast. They are used to deliver interactive, personalized,
smart goods, and services that affect everything from hoe financial institutions advise how
structures and buildings are designed. Nobody is doubting AI having a great potential to carry
out and enhance a large number of human-like activities and that it will produce new and
exciting insights into human character. Developments of artificial intelligence will accelerate the
growth of innovative enterprises.

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The excitements of the benefits of artificial intelligence systems have started to hinder by
risks concerns that are introduced. Concerns have cropped up, such as the possibility of AI
algorithmic lacking fairness. This leads to discriminatory decisions. There might also be the
possibility of potential manipulation of users, and consumer privacy also is at risk of
disappearing. Concerns have also risen of possible abuse of market position. Big data and fast
algorithms are used to raise boundaries in the entry of digital markets. It is open to the public that
different professionals have less knowledge on how the algorithm performs its work even the AI
experts some are not aware and can not explain how algorithms make decisions based on the
intensive learning of networking.
Application of AI in robotics has generated many opportunities with challenges at the
same time too. It has to lead to raised productivity in companies, and it has also transformed
employment opportunities. In terms of ethical problems, Artificial intelligence has posed some
questions that have got answers. The barriers between human subject and technology are
diminishing in AI. The artificial intelligence systems have affected the understanding of human
and our responsibilities morally. The person who holds responsibilities for AI behavior is a
complex ethical issue. There is a need for sharing and distributing responsibilities among
policymakers, and users so that all can take into account the moral responsibility.
Globally, there is rapid embracement and adoption on the use of machine learning and
artificial intelligence (IA) systems. Studies have shown that some of the AI systems, especially
those with growing datasets, are more preferably in delivering recommendable yields in goods
and services. According to the studies show that AI is mostly used in banks. Some researchers

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have suggested that further development of AI will bring in tremendously improvement in many
vital sectors, including health care, transportation, education, and home surroundings.
Despite the several benefits of AI in goods and services delivery, individuals have raised
their concerns on the associated risks. These concerns include potential manipulation of users,
infringement of consumer privacy, and possible lack of algorithmic fairness which can lead to
discriminatory decisions, related safety, and cyber security risks, and potential lack of
inclusiveness (Frissen et al., 2018). The introduction of autonomous vehicles in the
transportation systems shows great achievements in the transportation system. However, there
are ethical issues with the autonomous cars that concern with decision-making processes. On this
note of decision making, there is an example of a situation where the autonomous vehicles are
required to choose an instant of time whether to sacrifice its occupants at the expenses of saving
pedestrians or not.
Another area of concern is on the use of AI technology in developing lethal autonomous
weapons that will be used in sweeping away humans. For instance, the invention of drones which
usually are equipped with AI software for face recognition and navigation could be used by other
individuals such terrorist in mass killings. Therefore allowing such kind of weapons could very
dangerous to the lives of many individuals.
According to the studies conducted on artificial general intelligence, it was suggested that
AI systems are almost that of a human being. Deep Blue is the new and current AI algorithms
with superiority in a performance like a human being. Studies show that Deep Blue participated
in a chess competition and become the world champion after it won. The Deep Blue has many
biological features making it capable of even driving a car

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Ethical Issues arising from the use of Artificial Intelligence with their pros and Cons
Unemployment
Artificial intelligence would lead to unemployment. AI has come up with ways to
automate jobs. Though it is argued that room for people to assume more complex positions is
created.
A good example is in Trucking. It currently gives employment to a lot of people in the
nation. When the self- driving trucks are designed and ready to work, what next? It is evident
that most people will lose their jobs. This idea seems not to be kind to human but let's look on
the other side too. They are considering the risk of accidents. The programmed trucks will
decrease the rate of accidents, and in case of any breakdown or accident, no human will be
injured. Self-driving trucks seem like an ethical choice. Loosing of jobs may give people hope
of finding the meaning of non-labor activities, for example, taking care of their families and
engaging in community work.
Inequality
With the use of artificial intelligence, distribution of wealth generated by systems and
machines will be tricky. Currently, the economic system is based on compensation for economic
growth. Mostly payment is gauged with the hourly wage. Most companies still rely on work
done per hour in their products and services. Using artificial intelligence companies will
drastically reduce the use of the human workforce. In doing so, the economy will drop, few
people will be receiving revenue, contributing to the economy will be less. As the human
workforce in companies is reduced, owners of Artificially driven companies will take more

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money. This leads to inequality of wealth distribution generated by machines. As some people
lose their jobs, others make more money. This increases the wealth gap. Owners of the
companies take home a large percentage of the economic revenue they generate.
Humanity
Each day as technology advances, artificially intelligent bots becomes better in modeling
conversations and relationships of human. Eugene Goostman is of one of artificial smart bot
winner. He won a Turing Challenge in 2015. Human used to start a conversation with an
unknown entity then guess whether they were in an interview with a machine or human. People
were fooled, thinking they were chatting to a human being.
This is the start of an era in which human will most of the time interact with machines.
The kind of attention and kindness the tools have when they are interacting with people is not the
same as what people have to their fellow humans. Artificial bots channel unlimited resources in
creating relationships. Some machines are already designed to trigger the reward centers of our
brain. A good example, click-bait headlines, it uses the A/B testing, an algorithmic optimization
to capture our attention. This has made many video games addictive. Artificially intelligence has
affected human behavior and interaction with the addictive features of video games.
It is also argued that AI can be used in directing human attention and triggering specific
beneficiary actions. The software can be developed and used in the right way towards
beneficiary behaviors; however, when wrongly used, can lead to detrimental.
Artificial Stupidity

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Artificial intelligence results from learning, be it a machine or human. Devices and
systems often have training phase as one of their stages in their development stages. In this
phase, they detect their patterns and work according to how the input instructs them. After the
training phase is the test phase. Here more examples are introduced to see whether the system
works well. During the training phase, policies do not cover all cases that they may encounter in
the real world. If we were to rely on machines for labor entirely, security and efficiency
machines need to be ensured they work as planned, and that human cannot overpower for their
benefit. Artificial Intelligence has made humans cannot guard against mistakes; it relies much
upon.
Racists' Robots
Artificial intelligence has the capability of speed processing much faster than a human
being, but it cannot always be trusted in being just and neutral. Artificial Intelligence systems are
developed by persons who can be biased and judgmental. When used in the right way or for
community progress, AI can be a good stepping stone for a good change. It is challenging to
eliminate biases with artificial intelligence. They are programmed and are specific in the task
they perform.
Security
The more technology advances, the more it is used for nefarious purposes and sound
reasons as well. As robots are produced replacing human soldiers and dangerous weapons,
artificial systems are also created that if maliciously used, they can cause significant damage.

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The fight is not only on the battleground. (Mason 2017). Cybersecurity is also involved, which
is more important. Keeping Artificial intelligence safe from adversaries has complicated with the
advancement of technology.
Evil Genius
Artificial intelligence is not to rely upon that much. It can turn against us, and the worry
is not all about adversaries. This is not to mean turning against us in the human might way or
Hollywood artificial intelligence disasters. A good example is of a machine that is asked to
eliminate cancer in the world. After much computing of its system, it gets a formula that works
to end cancer, but that is by killing everyone on earth. The machine would have accomplished its
mission, no more disease very well, but that is not how human intended it. Protecting Artifical
intelligence from unintended consequences has been a big question, making AI not being ethical.
Singularity
Human beings on food chains are at the top. This is not because of their sharp teeth and
might muscles but their intelligence. Humans can create bigger, stronger, and faster animals and
use tools to control them. This is what also poses the big question that has not got an answer.
Will one day Artificial intelligence have the advantage over humans? This what now some
people describe it as the singularity, a time when artificial intelligence will be more intelligent
than human on earth. This is not ethical.
Robots' Rights

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Neuroscientists are working on unlocking secrets behind the conscious experience. We
get to understand intensively on the mechanism of reward and aversion that we share the
mechanism with simple animals. (Bostrom & Yudkowsky, 2014). The mechanism of reward and
aversion in systems of AI is the same as that of humans and simple animals.
A good example is learning reinforcement, similar to training a dog. Machines developed
and programmed with a genetic algorithm. Their systems are now becoming superficial, and
once develop the mental status, pondering their legal rights will not be a big deal. The question
is, should they be treated like animals? Other ethical issues are about mitigating suffering and
others on risking adverse outcomes. Operating AI systems as a human are not ethical.
Policy Response
The high speed of development of AI technologies requires urgent action. The action
itself is the establishment of policies and regulations that monitor and address the possible risks.
Before discussing the issues, there will be that need to access better data and people be familiar
with the range of potential impacts. After that, innovative thinking on the right policy
intervention to address them. Government agents are responsible for enforcing also have a part to
play. They have to make sure the regulations are adhered to.
Conclusion
Artificial Intelligence currently has few ethical issues that are not ready; for example, the
design of self-driven vehicles and power plants, AI algorithms approach towards thinking and
reasoning like humans portends predictable complications. AI algorithms may perform many
roles. This implies that new designs will be required such as transparency and predictability. A

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system with the advanced mental state will have moral status and even count as a person, though
maybe will be governed by specific rules. AI with superhuman intelligence poses the
extraordinary challenge of developing an algorithm that outputs the super ethical character.
Reference
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