A defense of the rights of artificial intelligences: defense of the rights of artificial intelligences

Abstract

This article argues for the moral consideration of artificial intelligence (AI). It begins by claiming that if an entity deserves moral consideration and another entity does not, then there must be a relevant difference between them. Since there are possible AIs that are psychologically and socially identical to humans, then there is no relevant difference between humans and those AIs. Thus, those AIs should deserve a degree of moral consideration similar to that of humans. The article also considers and responds to four objections to this main argument, then offers two ethical design principles for AI. Finally, it speculates that if AI research continues to progress, intuitive human ethics might encounter cases for which it is ill-prepared. This could result in moral catastrophes or lead to an evolution of human morality. – AI-generated abstract.