Writing the Algorithm of the Good: Artificial Intelligence as a Justice-Rendering Machine
Published:
Dec 10, 2024
Updated:
2024-12-10
Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence; Ethics; Justice; Algorithms; Alignment Problem; Moral Agency; Legal Decision-making; Machine Ethics
Abstract
This article explores the ethical and philosophical challenges of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems for regulatory purposes and the administration of justice. The authors investigate whether AI can function as an "objective" decision-maker in moral and legal contexts, potentially mitigating human biases. Central to the discussion is the "Alignment Problem"—the difficulty of ensuring AI systems act in accordance with complex human values and legal principles. The paper contrasts "Top-Down" ethical programming with "Bottom-Up" machine learning approaches, questioning whether a machine can ever truly possess the "moral agency" or "practical wisdom" required for justice. The study concludes that while AI can assist in the legal process, the transparency of algorithms and the preservation of human responsibility remain paramount in the quest for a "just" machine.
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Gounaris, A., & Kosteletos, G. (2024). Writing the Algorithm of the Good: Artificial Intelligence as a Justice-Rendering Machine. Ηθική. Περιοδικό φιλοσοφίας, (19), 5–27. https://doi.org/10.12681/ethiki.39654
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