Artificial intelligence, ethics and human values : the cases of military drones and companion robots
Résumé
Can artificial intelligence (AI) be more ethical than human intelligence? Can it respect human values better than a human person? This article examines some issues raised by AI with respect to ethics. The utilitarian approach is a solution, especially the one that uses agents based theory. We have chosen two extreme cases: combat drones, vectors of death, and companion robots, life supporting. The Ethics of AI and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) must be studied on the basis of human values when fighting and military ethics. Despite they are not programmed to hurt humans or harm their dignity, companion robots can potentially endanger both their social, moral as well as their physical integrity. An important ethical condition is that companion robots help the nursing staff to better take care of patients and do not replace this staff.