Overview

Rise of the Moral machine describes the emergence of a new technology called 'moral machines' that seeks to equip AI algorithms and robots with a capacity to perceive and respond to the ethical consequences of their choices and actions. The recent and in some cases breath-taking advances in Artificial Intelligence have led to serious ethical concerns over the harms that this technology could cause to individuals, organisations and society at large. The root cause of these concerns comes from the fact that these decision-making algorithms are morally naïve. They have no concept of right or wrong and no capacity to recognise the potential good or evil that their 'autonomous' decisions and actions might have on the people they interact with. This book describes the efforts of scientists who seek to rectify this by equipping AI algorithms and robots with a capacity to perceive and respond to the ethical consequences of their choices and actions. The Author bring a unique perspective on this subject that is informed by a deep understanding of AI technology combined with a long-term amateur interest in the theology of personal moral development. The book offers a thoughtful and accessible discussion at the intersection between AI, theology, philosophy and neuroscience. Ultimately, its aim is to alleviate the fears that many have about how AI and robotics are challenging our understanding of human identity, of which moral competence is a vital component.

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9781739133900

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Reviews

If you wish to get real insight into the fascinating issues surrounding robots and morality, then this is the book to read. Nigel Crook lays the groundwork really well - he helps us understand the nature of robots, of artificial intelligence, the difference between simulation and reality. He writes from a lifetime researching hands-on how to equip robots with a moral sensitivity and explains in detail how this is done from various ethical perspectives. Since the ethical system build into a robot will necessarily reflect the world view of the programmer - there is no 'view from nowhere' - Crook also rightly exemplifies this by bringing his specifically Christian moral values to bear and shows how they shape his approach to machine morality. I found his discussion as to what might be meant by a future 'moral singularity', if ever there is one, very stimulating. Whatever your ethical convictions - and all of us have them - you will find this book rewarding in the questions it addresses to you. John C. Lennox MA MMath MA(Bioethics) DPhil PhD DSc Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, University of Oxford Emeritus Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science, Green Templeton College As Artificial Intelligence grows in sophistication, the development of robots capable of social interaction has come to the fore. But the rise of these more complex capabilities also raises a set of ethical questions. If robots are able to mimic human social behaviour, should they also be programmed to make moral decisions? Professor Crook writes at a crucial time into this very question, drawing from his distinguished career in robotics along with deep insights from theology. The Rise of the Moral Machines is an original and important book for this moment. Professor Crook walks us through matters of technology, theology, philosophy and neuroscience with precision and expertise and highlights their relevance through creative use of possible future scenarios in the form of stories. For anyone interested in where questions of robotics ultimately take us, I highly recommend this book. Dr. Sharon Dirckx, speaker, former neuroscientist and author of 'Am I just my brain?'

Author Information

Nigel Crook is Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and Founding Director of the Institute for Ethical AI at Oxford Brookes University. He graduated from Lancaster University with a BSc (hons) in Computing and Philosophy in 1982. He has a PhD in explainable intelligent machines and more than 30 years of experience as a lecturer and a researcher in AI. He has published more that 60 peer-reviewed scientific papers. He is an expert reviewer for the European Commission and serves on several scientific committees for international conferences. His research interests include biologically inspired machine learning, social robotics and autonomous moral machines. His recent work in robotics has attracted some media attention, including 19 appearances on regional, national and international television channels.

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