Ethics, Computing, and AI | Perspectives from MIT
The MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing will reorient the Institute to bring the power of computing and AI to all fields at MIT; allow the future of computing and AI to be shaped by all MIT disciplines; and advance research and education in ethics and public policy to help ensure that new technologies benefit the greater good.
To support ongoing planning for the new college, Dean Melissa Nobles invited faculty from all five MIT schools to offer perspectives on the societal and ethical dimensions of emerging technologies. This series presents the resulting commentaries — practical, inspiring, concerned, and clear-eyed views from an optimistic community deeply engaged with issues that are among the most consequential of our time.
The commentaries represent diverse branches of knowledge, but they sound some common themes, including: the vision of an MIT culture in which all of us are equipped and encouraged to discern the impact and ethical implications of our endeavors.
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FOREWORD Melissa Nobles, Professor of Political Science
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INTRODUCTION Caspar Hare, Professor of Philosophy |
A Human Endeavor
Computing is embedded in cultural, economic, and political realities.
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Stefan Helmreich, Professor of Anthropology Heather Paxson, Professor of Anthropology |
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When Computer Programs Become Unpredictable John Guttag, Dugald C. Jackson Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering |
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Safeguarding Humanity in the Age of AI
"There seem to be two possibilities for how AI will turn out. In the first, AI will do what it is on track to do: slowly take over every human discipline. The second possibility is that we take the existential threat of AI with the utmost seriousness and completely change our approach. This means redirecting our thinking from a blind belief in efficiency to a considered understanding of what is most important about human life."
Action: Develop a curriculum that encourages us to reflect deeply on fundamental questions: What is justice? How ought I to live? |
Community Insights
Shaping ethical technology is a collective responsibility.
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Mary Fuller, Professor of Literature |
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Who's Calling the Shots with AI? Leigh Hafrey, Senior Lecturer, leadership and ethics
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Caroline A. Jones, Professor of Art History |
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David Kaiser, Germeshausen Professor of the History of Science, and Professor of Physics
Action: Create ongoing forums for brainstorming and debate; we will benefit from engaging as many stakeholders as possible. |
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Assessing the Impact of AI on Society Lisa Parks, Professor of Comparative Media Studies
Action: Conduct a political, economic, and materialist analysis of the relationship of AI technology to global trade, governance, natural environments, and culture. |
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Clues and Caution for AI from the History of Biomedicine Robin Wolfe Scheffler, Leo Marx Career Development Professor in the History and Culture of Science and Technology "The use of AI in the biomedical fields today deepens longstanding questions raised by the past intractability of biology and medicine to computation, and by the flawed assumptions that were adopted in attempting to make them so. The history of these efforts underlines two major points: 'Quantification is a process of judgment and evaluation, not simple measurement' and 'Prediction is not destiny.'"
Action: First, understand the nature of the problems we want to solve — which include issues not solvable by technical innovation alone. Let that knowledge guide new AI and technology projects. |
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The Environment for Ethical Action T.L. Taylor, Professor of Comparative Media Studies School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Action: Place a commitment to social justice at the heart of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing. |
Biological Intelligence and AI Matthew Wilson, Sherman Fairchild Professor of Neuroscience "An understanding of biological intelligence is relevant to the development of AI, and the effort to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) magnifies its significance. AGIs will be expected to conform to standards of behavior...Should we hold AIs to the same standards as the average human? Or will we expect AIs to perform at the level of an ideal human?"
Action: Conduct research on how innate morality arises in human intelligence, as an important step toward incorporating such a capacity into artificial intelligences. |
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Machine Anxiety Bernardo Zacka, Assistant Professor of Political Science
Action: When societies undergo deep transformations, envisioning a future that is both hopeful and inclusive is a task that requires moral imagination, empathy, and solidarity. We can study the success of societies that have faced such challenges well. |
A Structure for Collaboration
Thinking together is powerful.
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Hal Abelson, Class of 1922 Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science |
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Fox Harrell, Professor of Digital Media and Artificial Intelligence |
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Nick Montfort, Professor of Media Studies
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Related MIT Publications and Resources
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Two Commentaries School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences + MIT Sloan School of Management |
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Abby Everett Jaques, Postdoctoral Associate, Philosophy |
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Resources on MIT News Idea Bank MIT Computational Cultures Initiative |
Series prepared by MIT SHASS Communications
Office of Dean Melissa Nobles
MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Series Editor and Designer: Emily Hiestand, Communication Director
Series Co-Editor: Kathryn O'Neill, Associate News Manager