Abstract
While the ‘AI ethics' debate has been raging for some time, there are legitimate questions about employing AI and automation that are explored in this chapter. AI ethics isn't just about doing the right thing or making the best AI systems possible, it's also about who wields power and how AI affects the balance of power in everything it touches across society including businesses, institutions, and governments – ultimately, affecting the privacy and human rights of all individuals globally. AI must be developed with an understanding of who humans are collectively and in groups (anthropology and sociology), as well as who we are individually (psychology), and how our individual brains work (cognitive science), in tandem with current thinking on global cultural ethics and corresponding philosophies and laws. One thing is clear, without ethics, all visions of AI's future will have little impact.
“It’s not artificial intelligence I’m worried about, it’s human stupidity.” –Neil Jacobstein, Chair of the AI and Robotics track at Singularity University
TopEthics – A Definition
The term ‘ethics’ is derived from the Greek word ‘ethos’2, which can mean custom, habit, character or disposition. At its simplest, ethics is a system of moral principles, and it affect how people make decisions and lead their lives, helping to balance what is good for individuals and society. We subscribe to The Ethics Centre3 definition, ‘ethics is the process of questioning, discovering and defending our values, principles and purpose.’