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MIT's Stance on Ethics, Computing, and Artificial Intelligence: Insights Revealed

The potential of tomorrow: A habitable, equitable, and just world? What ethical frameworks could steer us? Scholars from MIT share pragmatic, uplifting, uncensored perspectives on "Ethics, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence."

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Can the upcoming era maintain a human-friendly and survivable environment? Will it uphold equity...
Can the upcoming era maintain a human-friendly and survivable environment? Will it uphold equity and justice? What moral principles can lead us? Academicians from MIT present workable, encouraging, straightforward viewpoints in a fresh series titled "Ethics, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence."

MIT's Stance on Ethics, Computing, and Artificial Intelligence: Insights Revealed

The MIT's Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing is transforming to infuse ethical considerations and artificial intelligence into every field at MIT. Faculty from all MIT schools have offered insights on the ethical dimensions of emerging technologies to aid planning for the new college. This series presents various perspectives from across various disciplines, with shared themes focused on fostering an MIT culture that encourages and equips individuals to assess the impact of their endeavors.

Foreword Centered on Ethics, Computing, and AI, Melissa Nobles (Kenan Sahin Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences and professor of political science) addresses the importance of collaboration, foresight, and courage as we establish this new college.

IntroductionThe Tools of Moral PhilosophyCaspar Hare and Kieran Setiya (professors of philosophy) explain the value of philosophy in providing a systematic approach to thinking about ethical questions.

Welcoming RemarksA New Kind of EducationSusan Silbey (chair of the MIT faculty) emphasizes the College of Computing's aim to cultivate a new type of technologist who is wise and capable in both ethical and technological matters.

Part I: A Human EndeavorComputing is embedded in cultural, economic, and political realities.*

Computing is Deeply HumanStefan Helmreich and Heather Paxson (Elting E. Morison Professor and William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Anthropology, respectively) consider computing as a human practice with judgment, political influences, and social constructs.

When Computer Programs Become UnpredictableJohn Guttag (Dugald C. Jackson Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering) discusses the importance of predicting and studying risks associated with unpredictable computer programs.

Safeguarding Humanity in the Age of AIBernhardt Trout (Raymond F. Baddour Professor of Chemical Engineering) proposes dedicating time to reflecting on and understanding human values in the age of AI.

Action: Develop a curriculum that encourages self-reflection on fundamental questions like 'What is justice?' and 'How ought one to live?'

Part II: Community InsightsShaping ethical technology is a collective responsibility.*

The Common Ground of StoriesMary Fuller (professor of literature, and head of the MIT Literature section) suggests creating residences for international storytellers in the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.

Who's Calling the Shots with AI?Leigh Hafrey (senior lecturer of leadership and ethics) emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamics of power and human values when integrating AI into various industries.

In Praise of WetwareCaroline A. Jones (professor of art history) advocates for a better understanding of human "wet" cognition, as it ensures technological advancements are grounded in a complex and adaptive understanding of human intelligence.

Blind SpotsDavid Kaiser (Germeshausen Professor of the History of Science, and professor of physics) stresses the significance of constant, open dialogue about the ethical implications of new technologies.

Assessing the Impact of AI on SocietyLisa Parks (professor of comparative media studies) highlights the importance of a political, economic, and materialist analysis of AI technology's connection to global trade, governance, natural environments, and culture.

Clues and Caution for AI from the History of BiomedicineRobin Wolfe Scheffler (Leo Marx Career Development Professor in the History and Culture of Science and Technology) shows how lessons from the biomedical field's history can provide insights into the ethical considerations of using AI.

The Environment for Ethical ActionT.L. Taylor (professor of comparative media studies) emphasizes the importance of a commitment to social justice and its inclusion in the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.

Biological Intelligence and AIMatthew A. Wilson (Sherman Fairchild Professor of Neuroscience) advocates for investigating how innate morality emerges in human intelligence as essential for creating moral AI.

Machine AnxietyBernardo Zacka (assistant professor of political science) encourages societal members to think critically about the implications of AI on society and human agency.

Part III: A Structure for CollaborationThinking together is powerful.*

Bilinguals and BlendingHal Abelson (Class of 1922 Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) proposes merging computing with the humanities, arts, and social sciences for a transdisciplinary approach to pedagogy and research.

A Dream of ComputingFox Harrell (professor of digital media and artificial intelligence) emphasizes the value of recognizing diverse viewpoints and approaches in the dream of creating computing technologies.

A Network of PractitionersNick Montfort (professor of media studies) encourages collaboration and networking across various relevant disciplines for the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.

Two CommentariesSusan Silbey (chair of the MIT faculty) outlines the importance of avoiding an anecdotal approach to ethics and collaborating across the MIT community to establish the new college.

Ethical AI by DesignAbby Everett Jaques (postdoc in philosophy) highlights the need for an ethical protocol that can help individuals approach projects with ethics and social responsibility in mind.

This series presents diverse commentaries from the MIT community addressing the ethical dimensions of emerging technologies, focusing on an optimistic community committed to tackling the crucial issues of our time.

  1. The MIT's Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing is being transformed to infuse ethical considerations and artificial intelligence into every field at MIT.
  2. Faculty from all MIT schools have offered insights on the ethical dimensions of emerging technologies to aid planning for the new college.
  3. Computing is embedded in cultural, economic, and political realities.
  4. Computing is deeply human, with judgment, political influences, and social constructs.
  5. John Guttag discusses the importance of predicting and studying risks associated with unpredictable computer programs.
  6. Bernhardt Trout proposes dedicating time to reflecting on and understanding human values in the age of AI.
  7. Develop a curriculum that encourages self-reflection on fundamental questions like 'What is justice?' and 'How ought one to live?'
  8. Shaping ethical technology is a collective responsibility.
  9. Mary Fuller suggests creating residences for international storytellers in the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.
  10. Leigh Hafrey emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamics of power and human values when integrating AI into various industries.
  11. Caroline A. Jones advocates for a better understanding of human "wet" cognition to ground technological advancements in a complex and adaptive understanding of human intelligence.
  12. David Kaiser stresses the significance of constant, open dialogue about the ethical implications of new technologies.
  13. Lisa Parks highlights the importance of a political, economic, and materialist analysis of AI technology's connection to global trade, governance, natural environments, and culture.

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