Artificial Intelligence: Ethical Considerations and Social Policies (LEPC6)
George Kosteletos
Through its rapid development and spread in recent decades, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become something broader than a mere scientific endeavor. It shapes our lives and thoughts in multiple ways. It has invaded critical and sensitive instances of social interaction and is poised to dominate even more of our social environment. From financial transactions and customer evaluations to courts, from daily household routines to medicine, and from romantic relationships to warfare, AI determines—or is poised to determine—the way human life is structured. What are the ethical issues raised, and what are the social policies proposed and adopted for the safe and fruitful integration of AI into our society? This course aims to offer students a timely picture and sufficient understanding of the current philosophical and social discussion regarding the development and adaptation of AI into crucial embodiments of human activity. Furthermore, it aims to equip students with the necessary conceptual framework to recognize and understand the regulatory aspects of each AI application, as well as to develop critical skills sufficient for evaluating the governance efforts of AI thus far and for formulating fruitful new proposals in the field.
LessThrough its rapid development and spread in recent decades, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become something broader than a mere scientific endeavor. It shapes our lives and thoughts in multiple ways. It has invaded critical and sensitive instances of social interaction and is poised to dominate even more of our social environment. From financial transactions and customer evaluations to courts, from daily household routines to medicine, and from romantic relationships to warfare, AI determines—or is poised to determine—the way human life is structured. What are the ethical issues raised, and what are the social policies proposed and adopted for the safe and fruitful integration of AI into our society? This course aims to offer students a timely picture and sufficient understanding of the current philosophical and social discussion regarding the development and adaptation of AI into crucial embodiments of human activity. Furthermore, it aims to equip students with the necessary concept
Through its rapid development and spread in recent decades, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become something broader than a mere scientific endeavor. It shapes our lives and thoughts in multiple ways. It has invaded critical and sensitive instances of social interaction and is poised to dominate even more of our social environment. From financial transactions and customer evaluations to courts, from daily household routines to medicine, and from romantic relationships to warfare, AI determines—or is poised to determine—the way human life is structured. What are the ethical issues raised, and what are the social policies proposed and adopted for the safe and fruitful integration of AI into our society? This course aims to offer students a timely picture and sufficient understanding of the current philosophical and social discussion regarding the development and adaptation of AI into crucial embodiments of human activity. Furthermore, it aims to equip students with the necessary concept
Syllabus
Course Syllabus
I. Introduction to basic terminology - First overview of the field known as "Ethics of AI".
II. Historical and Philosophical origins of AI.
III. Old ethical dilemmas and AI.
IV. Novel ethical dilemmas and AI.
V. AI and the Accountability of Moral Agency.
VI. AI in the light of Enhancement Ethics.
VII. AI and health.
VIII. AI and warfare.
IX. AI and romantic companionship.
X. AI and education.
XI. AI and the environment.
XII. AI and justice.
XIII. Governance issues in AI.
Course Objectives/Goals
The aim of the course is:
• Mapping the field of contemporary applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as well as the ethical dilemmas they raise.
• Familiarizing students with the basic technical concepts of AI.
• Familiarizing students with the basic concepts of ethical and philosophical issues related to Artificial Intelligence.
• Empowering students to recognize the ethical aspects of each AI application.
• Understanding Leadership issues arising in relation to the phenomenon of AI.
• Understanding contemporary decision-making processes and governance of AI.
• Applying various ethical and philosophical frameworks for evaluating and regulating modern incarnations of AI.
Instructional Methods
This course employs a dynamic blend of instructional methods to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. With a focus on engagement and flexibility, the instructional approach comprises 75% face-to-face teaching, fostering direct interaction between instructors and students in a traditional classroom setting. Additionally, 25% of the course involves distant teaching, which can be delivered either synchronously or asynchronously. This remote component allows students to access course materials, participate in discussions, and engage with learning activities at their own pace, leveraging online platforms and resources. By combining face-to-face interaction with remote learning opportunities, the course aims to cater to diverse learning styles and preferences, facilitating deeper understanding and collaboration among students while accommodating individual schedules and needs.
Assessment Methods
- 20%: Participation
- 20%: Oral presentation
- 60%: Written assignment
Prerequisites/Prior Knowledge
This module has no prerequisites in the curriculum or prior knowledge requirements.
Instructors
Instructors for the course will be announced shortly.
Textbooks
To be added soon.
Bibliography
- Anderson, M., Anderson, S., Gounaris, A., & Kosteletos, G. (2021). Towards Moral Machines: A Discussion with Michael Anderson and Susan Leigh Anderson. Conatus - Journal of Philosophy, 6(1), 177-202. doi: https://doi.org/10.12681/cjp.26832
- Arkin, R.C. (2010). The Case of Ethical Autonomy in Unmanned Systems, Journal of Military Ethics 9:4, 332-341.
- Boden, M. (2016). I.: Its Nature and Future. Oxford University Press.
- Bostrom, N. (2005). Transhumanist Values. Review of Contemporary Philosophy. Vol. 4
- Farah, M., Illes, J., Cook-Deegan, R., Gardner, H., Kandel, E., King, P., Parens, E., Sahakian, B., & Wolpe, P.R. (2004), ‘Neurocognitive Enhancement: What Can We Do and What Should We Do?, Nature Reviews, vol. 5, pp. 421-425.
- Bringsjord, S. and Govindarajulu, N.S. (2020). Artificial Intelligence. Zalta, E.N. (ed.). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2020/entries/artificial-intelligence/
- Coechelbergh, M. (2020). AI Ethics. MIT Press.
- Cheok, A.D., Karuanayaka, K. & Zhang, E.Y. (2017). Lovotics: Human-Robot Love and Sex Relationships. Στο Lin, P., Jenkins, R. & Abney, K. (Eds.) Robot Ethics 2.0, pp.192-213 , Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Devlin, K. (2020). The Ethics of the Artificial Lover. Στο Liao, M.S. (Ed.) Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, pp.271-290, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Frankish, K., & Rumsey, W. (eds.). Cambridge Handbook of Artificial Intelligence. Cambridge University Press, 2014.
- Floridi, L., Sanders, J. (2004). On the Morality of Artificial Agents. Minds and Machines 14, 349–379.
- Gounaris,A. & Kosteletos, G. (2021). “Licensed to Kill: Autonomous Weapons as Persons and Moral Agents”. Στο Prole, D. & Rujevic, G. (2020) Personhood, pp. 137-189, Hellenic-Serbian Philosophical Dialogue Series, The NKUA Applied Philosophy Lab Press, Novi Sad
- Gunkel, D. (2014). Do Machines Have Rights? Ethics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, Aurora Online, Is. 2014, http://http://icaap.org/index.php/aurora/article/view/92/114
- Kahn, L. (2017). “Military Robots and the Likelihood of Armed Combat”. Στο Lin, P., Jenkins, R. & Abney, K. (Eds.) Robot Ethics 2.0, pp. 274-287, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Liao, M. (ed.). Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. Oxford University Press, 2020.
- Lin,P., Jenkis, R., & Abney, K. (eds.). Robot Ethics 2.0: From autonomous cars to artificial intelligence. Oxford University Press, 2017.
- Meacham, D. & Studley, M. (2017). Could a Robot Care? It’s All in the Movement. Στο Lin, P., Jenkins, R. & Abney, K. (Eds.) Robot Ethics 2.0, pp.97-112 , Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Müller, V. C. (2020). Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. Zalta, Ε.Ν. (ed.). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2020/entries/ethics-ai/
- Sparrow, R. (2007). Killer Robots, Journal of Applied Philosophy 24:1, 62-77.
I. Introduction to basic terminology - First overview of the field known as "Ethics of AI".
II. Historical and Philosophical origins of AI.
III. Old ethical dilemmas and AI.
IV. Novel ethical dilemmas and AI.
V. AI and the Accountability of Moral Agency.
VI. AI in the light of Enhancement Ethics.
VII. AI and health.
VIII. AI and warfare.
IX. AI and romantic companionship.
X. AI and education.
XI. AI and the environment.
XII. AI and justice.
XIII. Governance issues in AI.
The aim of the course is:
• Mapping the field of contemporary applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as well as the ethical dilemmas they raise.
• Familiarizing students with the basic technical concepts of AI.
• Familiarizing students with the basic concepts of ethical and philosophical issues related to Artificial Intelligence.
• Empowering students to recognize the ethical aspects of each AI application.
• Understanding Leadership issues arising in relation to the phenomenon of AI.
• Understanding contemporary decision-making processes and governance of AI.
• Applying various ethical and philosophical frameworks for evaluating and regulating modern incarnations of AI.
This course employs a dynamic blend of instructional methods to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. With a focus on engagement and flexibility, the instructional approach comprises 75% face-to-face teaching, fostering direct interaction between instructors and students in a traditional classroom setting. Additionally, 25% of the course involves distant teaching, which can be delivered either synchronously or asynchronously. This remote component allows students to access course materials, participate in discussions, and engage with learning activities at their own pace, leveraging online platforms and resources. By combining face-to-face interaction with remote learning opportunities, the course aims to cater to diverse learning styles and preferences, facilitating deeper understanding and collaboration among students while accommodating individual schedules and needs.
- 20%: Participation
- 20%: Oral presentation
- 60%: Written assignment
This module has no prerequisites in the curriculum or prior knowledge requirements.
Instructors for the course will be announced shortly.
To be added soon.
- Anderson, M., Anderson, S., Gounaris, A., & Kosteletos, G. (2021). Towards Moral Machines: A Discussion with Michael Anderson and Susan Leigh Anderson. Conatus - Journal of Philosophy, 6(1), 177-202. doi: https://doi.org/10.12681/cjp.26832
- Arkin, R.C. (2010). The Case of Ethical Autonomy in Unmanned Systems, Journal of Military Ethics 9:4, 332-341.
- Boden, M. (2016). I.: Its Nature and Future. Oxford University Press.
- Bostrom, N. (2005). Transhumanist Values. Review of Contemporary Philosophy. Vol. 4
- Farah, M., Illes, J., Cook-Deegan, R., Gardner, H., Kandel, E., King, P., Parens, E., Sahakian, B., & Wolpe, P.R. (2004), ‘Neurocognitive Enhancement: What Can We Do and What Should We Do?, Nature Reviews, vol. 5, pp. 421-425.
- Bringsjord, S. and Govindarajulu, N.S. (2020). Artificial Intelligence. Zalta, E.N. (ed.). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2020/entries/artificial-intelligence/
- Coechelbergh, M. (2020). AI Ethics. MIT Press.
- Cheok, A.D., Karuanayaka, K. & Zhang, E.Y. (2017). Lovotics: Human-Robot Love and Sex Relationships. Στο Lin, P., Jenkins, R. & Abney, K. (Eds.) Robot Ethics 2.0, pp.192-213 , Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Devlin, K. (2020). The Ethics of the Artificial Lover. Στο Liao, M.S. (Ed.) Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, pp.271-290, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Frankish, K., & Rumsey, W. (eds.). Cambridge Handbook of Artificial Intelligence. Cambridge University Press, 2014.
- Floridi, L., Sanders, J. (2004). On the Morality of Artificial Agents. Minds and Machines 14, 349–379.
- Gounaris,A. & Kosteletos, G. (2021). “Licensed to Kill: Autonomous Weapons as Persons and Moral Agents”. Στο Prole, D. & Rujevic, G. (2020) Personhood, pp. 137-189, Hellenic-Serbian Philosophical Dialogue Series, The NKUA Applied Philosophy Lab Press, Novi Sad
- Gunkel, D. (2014). Do Machines Have Rights? Ethics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, Aurora Online, Is. 2014, http://http://icaap.org/index.php/aurora/article/view/92/114
- Kahn, L. (2017). “Military Robots and the Likelihood of Armed Combat”. Στο Lin, P., Jenkins, R. & Abney, K. (Eds.) Robot Ethics 2.0, pp. 274-287, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Liao, M. (ed.). Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. Oxford University Press, 2020.
- Lin,P., Jenkis, R., & Abney, K. (eds.). Robot Ethics 2.0: From autonomous cars to artificial intelligence. Oxford University Press, 2017.
- Meacham, D. & Studley, M. (2017). Could a Robot Care? It’s All in the Movement. Στο Lin, P., Jenkins, R. & Abney, K. (Eds.) Robot Ethics 2.0, pp.97-112 , Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Müller, V. C. (2020). Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. Zalta, Ε.Ν. (ed.). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2020/entries/ethics-ai/
- Sparrow, R. (2007). Killer Robots, Journal of Applied Philosophy 24:1, 62-77.
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