Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

Presentation

Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics represent one of the most dynamic and influential areas of contemporary technological research and development. They encompass the study and design of intelligent systems capable of performing tasks autonomously or with minimal human intervention. Such systems are able to perceive their environment, process information, learn from experience, and make decisions aimed at achieving specific goals. As an emerging and inherently multidisciplinary field, AI and robotics integrate principles and methodologies drawn from a wide range of disciplines, including computer science, engineering, mathematics, philosophy, theology, and ethics. This integration makes it possible to understand not only the technical functioning of intelligent technologies but also their social, cultural, and moral impact.

This course offers a comprehensive, systematic, and critical exploration of artificial intelligence and robotics, with particular attention to the ethical issues arising from their development and use. The course begins with an examination of foundational concepts and a historical overview of the evolution of AI and robotics. Students will explore the main definitions of artificial intelligence and robotics, clarifying their scope and distinguishing between different types of intelligent systems, such as weak AI and strong AI. The historical development of these technologies will be traced from early theoretical reflections and initial computational models to contemporary applications based on machine learning, neural networks, and advanced robotics.

The second section of the course is devoted to a more theoretical and conceptual analysis of artificial intelligence and robotics. In this part, students will investigate the primary purposes of artificial and robotic agents, reflecting on their roles and functions in various application contexts. Philosophical approaches such as functionalism and behaviourism will be examined, as they attempt to explain intelligence in terms of functions, processes, and observable behaviours. A central focus of this section is the critical comparison between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. Through the study of classic debates and thought experiments, such as the Turing Test, students will reflect on whether machines can genuinely “think,” be conscious, or possess mental states. Issues such as the simulation of the human brain, the relationship between mind and body, and the theoretical and practical limits of artificial intelligence will also be addressed.

Given the growing influence of AI and robotics on everyday life, the third section of the course focuses on ethical theories and their applicability to these technologies. Students will explore major ethical frameworks, including consequentialism, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics, analysing their core principles and key differences. Alongside these classical perspectives, culturally situated ethical approaches such as Ubuntuism will be introduced, emphasizing the relational and communal dimensions of moral action. By applying these ethical theories to concrete cases involving AI and robotics, students will develop a critical understanding of the moral responsibilities associated with the design, development, and deployment of intelligent technologies. This section aims to provide conceptual tools for evaluating technological choices in light of shared values and the common good.

The final section of the course offers an in-depth examination of major contemporary debates in the ethics of artificial intelligence and robotics. Topics such as technoethics, responsibility in autonomous systems, and the governance of emerging technologies will be critically analysed. Particular attention will be paid to issues of privacy, surveillance, and data protection in the age of AI. Students will also examine problems related to bias and discrimination in artificial intelligence algorithms, reflecting on the importance of transparency, fairness, and accountability in automated systems. Another central theme concerns the socioeconomic impact of automation, including the risk of job displacement, transformations in the labour market, and the potential increase in economic inequality. This section encourages critical discussion and debate, preparing students to engage responsibly and knowledgeably with complex ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired a broad and structured understanding of the relationship between artificial intelligence, robotics, and ethics. They will be equipped to engage with contemporary debates on these topics and to contribute meaningfully to discussions about the future of technology in society. The course not only emphasizes theoretical knowledge but also promotes practical application of the concepts studied and the development of strong ethical discernment in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Learning Outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• Grasp the key concepts and historical development of AI and robotics.
• Analyze the core functions of AI agents and their roles in various contexts.
• Explore key concepts such as human intelligence, artificial intelligence, consciousness, and mental states, and their relevance to AI and robotics.
• Understand and apply ethical theories to AI and robotics contexts and in relation to technological advancements.
• Critically examine the implications of technoethics and machine ethics on society and individual rights.
• Discuss privacy, surveillance, and data protection issues associated with AI technologies.
• Investigate bias and discrimination in AI algorithms and the importance of accountability in AI systems.
• Analyze the socioeconomic impacts of job displacement and economic inequality resulting from automation and AI integration.

Table of contents

Course Description

Overview

Learning Outcomes

Section 1: Understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics

1.1 Artificial Intelligence

1.2 Robotics

1.3 History of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

Section 2: Analytical Considerations of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

2.1 The main purposes of artificial intelligence agents

2.2 Functionalism and Behaviourism

2.3 Human Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Robotics

2.4 Consciousness, Minds and Mental states

Section 3: Ethical Theories and their Application to AI and Robotics

3.1 Understanding Ethics

3.2 Understanding Ethical Theories

3.3 Consequentialism, AI and Robotics

3.4 Deontological Ethics, AI and Robotics

3.5 Virtue Ethics, AI and Robotics

3.6 Ethical Relativism, AI and Robotics

3.7 Ubuntuism (African Communitarian Ethics), AI and Robotics

3.8 Religion: Divine Command Theory, AI and Robotics

Section 4: Major Debates in the Ethics of AI and Robotics

4.1 Understanding Technoethics and Machine Ethics

4.2 Privacy, Surveillance and Data Protection

4.3 Bias and Discrimination

4.4 Autonomous Systems

4.5 Job Displacement and Economic Inequality

Bibliography