Philosophical foundations for digital ethics and AI Ethics: a dignitarian approach

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Technology
• Ethics
• Artificial Intelligence

Background:

• AI ethics is a new field addressing AI's societal impact, stemming from broader digital ethics concerns.
• A key worry is the lack of adequate philosophical foundations for AI ethics and digital ethics.
• Existing frameworks may not sufficiently address the unique ethical challenges posed by AI and digital technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formulate and justify foundational concepts and principles for AI ethics and digital ethics.
• To establish a robust philosophical basis for AI ethics grounded in human dignity.
• To address the existential importance of well-founded AI ethics for humanity's future.

Main Methods:

• A ten-step argument drawing from a broadly Kantian theory of human dignity.
• Defining digital ethics and AI ethics, and refuting skepticism towards human dignity.
• Analyzing the metaphysics of human dignity, human flourishing, and moral obligations towards persons and machines.

Main Results:

• Proposes a dignitarian framework for AI ethics, emphasizing human dignity as a core principle.
• Distinguishes between natural and artificial persons, highlighting consciousness as a form of life.
• Clarifies moral obligations regarding privacy, consent, and the design/use of digital technologies.

Conclusions:

• A well-founded dignitarian AI ethics is crucial for navigating the challenges of artificial intelligence.
• The proposed framework provides a rational justification for ethical principles in the digital age.
• Establishing a universally accepted dignitarian AI ethics is of global existential importance.