AI Ethics on the Horizon: Integrating Moral Agency in Computational Intelligence
By John Francis Mukulu, SJ
This week at Sophia University, as the semester gradually gains momentum. As the weather cools, signalling the onset of autumn, the atmosphere within the university remains vibrant with intellectual excitement. The GonKen AI-Lab at Science and Tech Faculty in sophia has been marked AI and its ethical dimensions. As part of my research, I am focusing on the incorporation of moral agency into AI systems—an area of study that is still largely under-explored but critical for shaping the future of AI ethics. The goal is to explore the possibility of incorporation of moral agency into computational intelligence, guiding machines to act not only intelligently but also morally. This research aligns with Catholic teachings and the Jesuit tradition of working for the common good and the greater glory of God.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly taking central space even in the Nobel prize awards. Two of the Nobel Prizes in the natural sciences, i.e physics and chemistry were awarded for advancements directly related to machine learning. The ethical dimension of AI is also increasingly becoming a major concern. In his own words, the laureate in physics, whose work on machine learning received the prize, expressed his worries about the ethical impact of his work. This resonates deeply with my own research, as it emphasises the urgent need to ensure moral agency in computational intelligence. How can we successfully model ethical intelligence in the broader machine learning spectrum remains a daunting part of my research to be overcome.
In addition to AI and Ethics, we had the privilege of hosting a guest lecturer from Oxford University this week. He is working on improving machine learning models for translating various Spanish dialects. His visit also highlighted the growing consensus in the academic community that we must critically examine the moral dimensions in development of AI. These events underscore how AI is increasingly central not only in technological innovation but also in the highest levels of scientific recognition, pushing us to reflect on its ethical dimensions.
We pray and hope that all we do may be in the long term for the greater service and praise of God.
