Ethics Of Artificial Intelligence Introduction

Course Overview
  • Course Title: Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
  • Instructor: Dr. Frank Faries, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Course Description:
    • Introductory survey of ethical issues related to AI.
    • Focus on moral concerns and the implications of AI on privacy.
    • Analyzes theories of privacy vs. AI technologies that threaten it.
    • Examines economic models influencing AI and their effects on privacy, autonomy, well-being, and democracy.
  • Text Required:
    • "The Every" by Dave Eggers
    • Additional readings provided by the instructor.
Instructor Background
  • Title: Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy.
  • Area of Expertise: Philosophy of Cognitive Science and Data Science.
  • Contact: fariesfr@vcu.edu
Key Philosophical Questions in AI
  • Importance of Privacy: Why is privacy crucial in the digital age?
  • Utopian Vision: Examines the philosophical claim that society would improve without privacy.
    • Role of AI:
    • AI collects and analyzes vast amounts of data.
    • Promotes the feasibility of a society with minimal privacy.
  • Trust in AI Developers: Should AI developers be trusted to realize this vision?
Framework for Argumentation
  • Rules of Engagement:
    • Arguments must be evidence-based.
    • Adhere to rationality principles.
    • Must address counterarguments.
Understanding Ethics
  • Definition:
    • Ethics = Moral Philosophy
    • Moral: Beliefs about right/wrong; encompasses judgments and theories.
  • Philosophical Implications:
    • Moral conflicts exist both among people and within individuals.
    • Philosophy offers methods to analyze and potentially resolve these conflicts.
Branches of Ethics
  1. Normative Ethics:
    • Studies principles or rules guiding actions and judgments.
    • Questions like: Is the rightness of an action defined by its outcomes?
  2. Applied Ethics:
    • Application of moral principles to specific issues (e.g., medical ethics).
    • Questions like: Are corporate practices fair?
  3. Metaethics:
    • Examines the meaning and logical structure of moral beliefs.
    • Questions like: What does it mean for an action to be "right"?
Value Theory
  • Value: Signifies worth or importance.
  • Types of Values:
    • Moral Value: Attributes like good and blameworthy.
    • Nonmoral Value: Attributes like numerical value or entertainment value.
    • Instrumentally Valuable: Value as a means to an end (e.g., money).
    • Intrinsically Valuable: Value in and of itself (e.g., life).
Principles in Ethics
  • Reason: Justification through logical arguments.
  • Universalizable: Principles must apply to all similar situations.
  • Impartiality: Equal consideration for all individuals, unless partiality is justified.
  • Moral Norms: Take precedence over nonmoral principles (e.g., legal, aesthetic).
Conclusion
  • Next Topic: The Basics of Moral Reasoning.