Artificial intelligence is a branch of science regards computers that focus on the study and development of intelligent software and hardware. In precise, artificial intelligence is mainly geared towards the design and development of systems commonly known as intelligent agents. These are systems that emulate human behaviors by perceiving what is required of them in a given environment and acing as per these expectations. Systems that are in conformance to the standard of artificial intelligence act with an aim of achieving their purpose and eventually being successful (Amarel, 1985). Artificial intelligence technology borrows so much from robotics and expert systems as both technologies require machines to mimic human beings and handle situations as a human being could. However, as opposed to robotics, artificial intelligence entails situations where a machine comes to the rescue of human beings when decisions that are to be made are complex and repetitive. All that these machines have to do is to borrow knowledge from human beings, put it in their context and then act accordingly (Champion & James, 1991).
In dealing with machine ethics as relates to artificial intelligence, robots are given some sense of significance for better understanding. Some scholars refer a robot as the only device that can perform tasks on its own, without necessary being controlled by a human being. This, in simple terms means that a robot functions automatically. Some robots are known to take the human appearance and imitate them in all they do, though this is not universally applicable to all robots (Approach to Ethics, 2007). Some just look like machines but function as though they were human beings. Some robots call for pure guidance using a remote control for them to work effectively, but others need little guidance but still work well (Baker, 2002). However, robots that are guided do not entirely rely on the persons guiding them, but on the contrary they do convey some sense of self thoughts and intelligence in functioning. This is worth a deeper and more in depth understanding on machine ethics (Minsky, 1985).
Ethics is used to refer to the measure of how right or wrong an act is, basing on the available standards and guidelines. It focuses on human acts that affect their behavior, potential and reputation. Consciousness that an act is right or wrong stems from an aspect of morality, where the person in question is aware of and appreciates the moral norms and standards set in place. It poses concerns on how people should live, act and correlate without going against other people’s interests. There is a decision that must be made at a point that will impact either positively or negatively on the ethical issue at hand. An ethical choice, therefore, needs to be made (Salehnia, 2002).
There are many ethical issues facing the IT sector. Some of which are; responsibility that calls for the people and machines involved into accepting consequences that follow the decisions made by them. Accountability means one person or a group of persons are vested with the responsibility of decision making, hence answerable to the results that arise from their decisions. Liability is responsibility based on a set of guidelines. Lastly, there is the due process, a petition to existing authorities for assurance of application of the provided laws (Minsky, 1985).
Machine ethics in artificial intelligence touches on how far responsible and accountable a machine can be of its own actions. For instance, if a gun is given the mandate to make decisions on who to shoot and who not to, could this be good implementation of ethics? Can machines be charged with ethics or is it the people operating them that need to bear the burden for them? Machine ethics, therefore, remains a very complex aspect of artificial intelligence. The intelligence of a machine can be easily measured but it’s not easy to know how far responsible and accountable this very machine can be (McCarthy, 2007).
For a decision to be made ethically there is need for a set of rules that need to be followed to the latter. This helps a lot in avoiding future ethical issues, since something that is used and practiced regularly becomes one’s lifestyle. However, some ethical issues are too complex to be given a sole decision. There is need, therefore, for one to consult colleagues and expertise widely before making the decision. With this in mind, it has not yet been established how a machine is supposed to consult fellow machines before making a decision (Champion & James, 1991).
Then there comes in the issues of development of artificial intelligence. Just like any other technology, AI has gone through phases of development to where it is presently. At its emergence, AI can be said to have been relatively weak. This is true of its manifestations that were neither coined to outdo nor match the human intelligence. What machines could do at this time are the things that were obvious and so easy for the humans to do. Later in its process of development, artificial intelligence has seen growth into being so strong. Machines and software that relate to AI currently do match the human intelligence and at times tend to surpass the intelligence capabilities of beings (Salehnia, 2002).
For instance, robotics is not a new technology. It existed in the earlier days, first being implemented during the days of slavery, though it was not appreciated since there were so many slaves in practice. The main reason why robotics was not appreciated during this period is because the human labor was cheap at that time and was readily available. On the contrary the machines were very expensive, in terms of capital intensity hence the laxity of adoption by the people. Robots are both electronic and mechanical devices. With the improvement in technology following the complexity of manual works, more applications on robotics were developed. This dates back to the 17th century when a boat that was controlled automatically using a radio was developed. This followed the advent of digital and purely automatic robots in the following century, works associated with an English programmer known as George Devol (Salehnia, 2002).
Following these developments are things like the Turing test and Captcha. These are tests used in authentication processes where a computer sets an algorithm that itself cannot solve but a human being can. The very fact that a machine is not intelligent enough to solve a question it generates tells a lot as concerns intelligence. Could be the human beings that develop artificial intelligence software and hardware have so much influence on their functionality, but still the intelligence level of beings remains higher than that of machines (Amarel, 1985).
Research shows that to some extent robots have taken the place of human expertise in many areas, especially those regarded as complex and a bit complicated. It’s no longer the case that robots are only used in areas that are risky, such as administration of grenades and bombs or going to space and in areas where tasks done are repetitive and boring to the human mind (VukobratovicÌ, & Potkonjak, 1982). Instead, they are applied even in areas where humans can work comfortably without exposing themselves to risk and danger. However, it’s true that the intensity of application of robots in dangerous areas is higher than that of the normal applications. These include areas that are limited in size and humans may not survive comfortably, environmental unfriendly areas and uncomfortable and unsuitable for human survival (Baker, 2002).
In the verge of technological advancement, artificial intelligence remains the only sure way into breakthrough in computational matters. It’s the only field in technology that engages so much the mental capabilities of both machines and humans into achieving the set goals (Champion, & James, 1991). This is reflected perfectly in how software applies pattern recognition in many instances of operation and also the different sets of optimization that are evident in daily functioning. While machines are considered static in action and thought as per the initial programming, humans are dynamic and tend to change thoughts now and again (Champion, & James, 1991). This could explain why computers are regarded more intelligent in carrying out mechanical problems and also faster and efficient in delivering the solutions. Humans on their part are good and accurate in dynamic situations with changing scenarios and conditions. This presents the complex nature of artificial intelligence. It’s still a growing field whose future developments remain unknown to us (Champion, & James, 1991).
References
Amarel, S. (1985). The History of Artificial Intelligence at Rutgers. AI Magazine, 6(8). pp. 192-202.
Approach to Ethics. (n.d.) (2007). Santa Clara University Department of Electrical Engineering. Retrieved May 27, 2012, from http://www.ee.scu.edu/eefac/healy/approach.html
Baker, C. W. (2002). Robots among us: the challenges and promises of robotics. Brookfield, Conn.: Millbrook Press.
Champion, J. M., & James, J. H. (1991). Ethical decision making. Burr Ridge, Ill.: Irwin, Viewed on May 22 2013 from formal.stanford.edu/jmc/whatisai/whatisai.html.
McCarthy, J. (2007, November 12). What is Artificial Intelligence? Retrieved Mary 24, 2013,
Minsky, M. L. (1985). Robotics. Garden City, N.Y.: Anchor Press/Doubleday.
Salehnia, A. (2002). Ethical issues of information systems. Hershey, PA: IRM Press.
VukobratovicÌ, M., & Potkonjak, V. (1982). Dynamics of manipulation robots: theory and application. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
