Ethics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

We are entering an age of unprecedented technological advancements that requires a new way of defining, clarifying, and governing. According to Luciano Floridi, a philosopher and leader in Information Ethics, biocentric ethics claim that any form of life, human or otherwise, are intrinsically worthy of life (Information Ethics, Floridi). If we bring in Information Ethics, this view claims anything being, or even information, has an intrinsic worthiness. Floridi’s philosophies brought me to think about one of my favorite films, Ex Machina, and the depiction of ethics surrounding artificial intelligence throughout the film.

Ava from Ex-Machina

[SPOILER ALERT] Ex Machina is about a sentient AI named Ava who was created by Nathan. It is revealed that Nathan treats her extremely unethically, and she eventually outsmarts Nathan and Caleb, a coder who is testing her intelligence and falls in love with her. Ava eventually uses Caleb's love for her to escape the lab and enter the real world where she believes she belongs.

Sophia beats Jimmy in Rock, Paper, Scissors.

This idea of a fully sentient AI robot may seem far-fetched, but it could be around the corner. Hanson Robotics is working on perfecting Sophia, a humanoid robot built to mimic human behavior. Hanson’s CEO explains how Sophia can help society address the question of what it really means to be human. Although this is a novel field, the ethics surrounding any instance of being has been discussed since Stoic and Neoplatonic philosophers (Information Ethics, Floridi). Floridi explains how these philosophers set forth that simply being or any instance of information deserves to flourish in a way that is appropriate.

In the case of Ex Machina, I believe Ava was definitely a sentient moral agent. She is an individual and human-based, or at least “reducible to an identifiable aggregation of human beings” (Information Ethics, Floridi). Less so with Sophia who even still is a moral agent, and even less so with my old Tamagotchi which was arguably being. But I don’t think it was unethical of me when my Tamagotchi died due to my disregard for its mealtime. Or that I leave Alexa on my bookshelf all day, every day. I would argue not, but would Floridi agree with me? If being is synonymous with information where is the line between being and not being?

The creation of moral agents like Sophia is quickly changing the landscape of Information Ethics and brings up important discussions that must be had. We need to ask ourselves how we can better shape the reality surrounding ethics and information so that technologies are developed responsibly. Ex Machina has warned us about the consequences if we don’t.