Technology and the Future: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence
Today, the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized numerous industries by automating tasks, enhancing decision-making, and enabling new innovations. The purpose of this essay is to explore the positive and negative impacts of these technologies on individuals and groups from the perspective of Immanuel Kants deontology which is particularly relevant for this analysis because it focuses on the adherence to ethical principles and the intrinsic morality of actions including a duty of beneficence, rather than just their consequences to maximize present and future benefits while minimizing harms for all stakeholders (Mansell, 2019). The essay examines the historical context of the technology of interest and an analysis of the current situation together with a projection of future implications and needs. Penultimately, the essay presents a series of recommendations concerning the use of artificial intelligence followed by a summary of the key points that emerged from the research.
Historical Context
In reality, the concept of artificial intelligence has roots dating back to classical philosophers who explored the idea of mechanical reasoning. Modern AI, though, began to take shape during the mid-20th century. In this regard, Alan Turing proposed the Turing Test in 1950 as a measure of machine intelligence, sparking serious academic interest in AI (Saha et al., 2024), but the 1956 Dartmouth Conference marked the official birth of AI as a field of scientific study (Moor, 2016). It is noteworthy that the early interest and enthusiasm for AI resulted in increased funding and research in the 1960s, but progress slowed in the following decades, leading to periods of so-called AI winters where interest and funding waned. The 1980s saw a resurgence with expert systems, while the 1990s brought breakthroughs in machine learning (Chun & Elkins, 2022).
Given the sustained improvements in computer processing capacities, it is not surprising that the 21st century has witnessed exponential growth in AI capabilities, driven by increases in computing power, big data availability, and algorithmic advancements. Some of the major milestones in the evolution of AI include IBMs Deep Blue, capable of evaluating 200 million potential moves per second, which defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov in 1997 (Deep Blue, 2024), and Googles AlphaGo beating...
These recent advancements in AI become increasingly integrated into
daily life, from virtual assistants to recommendation systems. This rapid advancement, however, has also raised ethical concerns and debates about AIs impact...
…are distributed equitably across
society. This also means that AI systems must be designed to treat all individuals as ends in themselves, not merely as means. This recommendation includes ensuring that AI does not discriminate based on
race, gender, age, or other protected characteristics.
4. Education and Informed Consent: Finally, it is essential to ensure that individuals interacting with AI systems are fully informed about the nature of the interaction and can provide meaningful consent, upholding the principle of respect for all people.
Conclusion
The research showed that the AI genie is out of the bottle and there is no turning back. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has ushered in a new era of technological innovation, bringing both unprecedented opportunities and complex ethical challenges. Through the lens of Kantian deontology, this essay has explored the historical context, current situation, and future implications of AI, emphasizing the importance of adhering to ethical principles that respect human dignity and autonomy. The research was consistent in showing that as AI continues to permeate various aspects of our lives, from healthcare to transportation, it is crucial to address the ethical concerns it raises. The recommendations provided, rooted in deontological ethics, provide a useful framework for responsible AI development and deployment. These guidelines emphasize respect for human autonomy, the establishment of universal ethical standards, non-discrimination, and the importance…
