Ethics as Guidance
A Perspective to Save Researchers 5 Minutes in Contributing to AI Ethics Development
Ethics is Not Suffocating, But Guidance for Freedom
If we cannot act ethically without legal regulations, then for example, "algorithmic attention economy" would impose risks on those who lack information literacy and cannot defend themselves:
Increased cognitive load: Constant notifications and stimuli make deep thinking and concentration difficult
Time fragmentation: Steals chunks of time, reducing time available for creative activities and human relationships
Creation of dependency: Stimulates dopamine circuits to promote habitual use
These individuals would bear the above risks and likely be supported by some form of social infrastructure funded by taxes. The companies that caused the problems would simply ignore them. Since we cannot invest unlimited tax money, some form of legal regulation and next-generation ethics education will be implemented.
However, since legal framework development takes time, the importance of ethics increases.
Is ethics suffocating? I don't think so.
For example, religion has aspects of following some existence, concept, or teaching. In contrast, ethics is like a map and compass. It's guidance. When we travel, we refer to maps and compasses, but we don't follow or worship them.
You can consult with your heart and decide for yourself. This is freedom, and it's intangible wealth.
Ethical Perspectives on the Attention Economy
Let's consider "algorithmic attention economy" from an ethical standpoint.
Kant's deontological ethics doesn't contradict human rights. Mill's utilitarianism doesn't disregard the lives of those who are subjects of happiness.
I believe companies are likely misunderstanding utilitarianism.
Three Pillars: Deontological Ethics, Utilitarianism, and Care Ethics
I think Carol Gilligan's ethics of care is effective for balancing deontological ethics and utilitarianism.
This relates not only to childbirth, but to all matters that protect human rights and human life - education, nursing, elderly care, etc. It makes it easy to judge as problematic when companies increase social problems for short-term profits and force society to respond with tax money.
Deontological ethics alone can be overly formal, while utilitarianism may ignore minority interests. Therefore, learning multiple ethical perspectives enhances the precision of our guidance.
Technology and Ethics Don't Conflict: Structural Design to Reduce Effort
Originally, shouldn't technology and services solve problems and increase the quality and quantity of users' time?
I think there's a difference in the richness of time between an interesting book or drama that makes you lose track of time, and algorithmic stimulation.
Also, compared to the 1990s, the pace is faster, making it harder to have experiences of quiet introspection in nature, which likely reduces opportunities for deep thinking.
Are the internet and smartphones tools for such outcomes? I don't think so.
For example, when I create tools with Python or JavaScript, I emphasize structural prevention to reduce others' effort as well. Being an independent researcher without affiliation allows me to do this - but this doesn't mean it cannot be done in commercial activities.
Modern ethics, AI ethics, has urgency. For example, on Academia.edu, when I check readers, university students and graduate students seem to be reading.
Therefore, the world is waiting for them, and by saving them 5 minutes, ethics research advances by 5 minutes.
Like a defensive midfielder (volante) in soccer, I work on both academic writing and code to pass to them.
I believe that by being prepared, early detection and early countermeasures are possible.
New: 📘AI Ethics Implementation: Developing Tools from Incidents to Save Researchers 5 Minutes 👉Academia.edu
Photo by Supushpitha Atapattu: https://www.pexels.com/photo/round-grey-and-black-compass-1736222/
Trgr KarasuToragara