Moral AI: And How We Get There

A balanced and thought-provoking guide to all the big questions about AI and ethics

Can computers understand morality? Can they respect privacy? And what can we do to make AI safe and fair?

The artificial intelligence revolution has begun. Today, there are self-driving cars on our streets, autonomous weapons in our armies, robot surgeons in our hospitals – and AI's presence in our lives will only increase. Some see this as the dawn of a new era in innovation and ease; others are alarmed by its destructive potential. But one thing is clear: this is a technology like no other, one that raises profound questions about the very definitions of human intelligence and morality.

In Moral AI, world-renowned researchers in moral psychology, philosophy, and artificial intelligence – Jana Schaich Borg, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong and Vincent Conitzer – tackle these thorny issues head-on. Writing lucidly and calmly, they lay out the recent advances in this still nascent field, peeling away the exaggeration and misleading arguments. Instead, they offer clear examinations of the moral concerns at the heart of AI programs, from racial equity to personal privacy, fake news to autonomous weaponry. Ultimately, they argue that artificial intelligence can be built and used safely and ethically, but that its potential cannot be achieved without careful reflection on the values we wish to imbue it with. This is an essential primer for any thinking person.

Review

A stimulating analysis of moral dilemmas in AI with snippets of both good and bad AI-related news ― from the worlds of art, environment, investment, law, media, medicine, the military, politics and more ― Nature

A philosopher, data scientist and computer scientist tackle the key ethical challenges of AI: safety, privacy, fairness, responsibility and how to inject human morality into AI. Practical and peppered with lively examples. This is a must-have as AI fundamentally changes all of our lives. Balanced, thoughtful and engaging -- Julian Savulescu

Can we build and use AI ethically? I believe this book gives the best answer to this question: yes, but it is up to us, so we all have to make an effort. If you want to understand the impact of AI on our lives, and how to make it a positive one, you need to read it -- Francesca Rossi

Taking on the challenge of AI calls for perspectives grounded in multiple areas of expertise, and that is what Moral AI provides. . . A judicious and deeply-informed guide -- Peter Railton

Moral AI is a gracefully written and balanced book which should be required reading for all humans and generations of ChatGPTs. Written by an exceptional interdisciplinary team, it eschews hyperbole and brings what the Greeks would call phronesis - or practical wisdom - to the modern challenge of artificial intelligence -- Joseph J. Fins

The authors blend their expertise from diverse fields to provide fresh insights and feasible suggestions for balancing AI advancement with ethical considerations. The book is a timely and significant contribution, particularly relevant now. It serves as a guiding light, both for those who are getting started on the journey, and for those who are looking for a fresh perspective -- Abhishek Gupta

About the Author

Jana Schaich Borg (Author)
Jana Schaich Borg is an Associate Research Professor at the Social Science Research Institute, Duke University.

Walter Sinnott-Armstrong (Author)
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong is the Chauncey Stillman Professor of Practical Ethics in the Department of Philosophy and the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University. His books include Think Again and Moral Skepticisms.

Vincent Conitzer (Author)
Vincent Conitzer is Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, where he directs the Foundations of Cooperative AI Lab. He is also Head of Technical AI Engagement at the Institute for Ethics in AI, and a professor of computer science and philosophy at the University of Oxford.