Ethics Archives

Free Will in Criminology: 3 Ways We Can Be More Fair (Sam Harris)

Should justice be punitive or restorative? Are people really to blame for the criminal choices they make? Sam Harris contends that free will is an illusion; our thoughts, desires, intentions, and choices are determined by events outside our control. Of course, this view impacts the way we regard the choices people make, even when those choices are criminal in nature. Continue reading to understand Sam Harris’s perspective on free will in criminology and the three steps he thinks we should take to treat people more fairly.

Free Will and Moral Responsibility: Sam Harris’s Apparent Paradox

If free will is an illusion, are we responsible for our behaviors? Can we just blame external factors for our misdeeds? Many argue that, if we throw free will out the window, moral responsibility goes with it. Sam Harris rejects free will as a reality and asks us to consider moral responsibility in that context. And, he contends that embracing the illusory nature of free will actually helps us think and act in more ethical ways. Read on to understand Harris’s intriguing view of free will and moral responsibility.

Digital Sweatshops: The Dark Side of Artificial Intelligence

How is artificial intelligence (AI) trained? What are digital sweatshops? What can be done to prevent exploitation? With the artificial intelligence market projected to hit $1.3 trillion over the next decade, companies are scrambling to train their AI products. However, training AI comes with hidden costs. These include exploitative labor practices in developing countries and refugee camps. Continue reading to learn more about the dark side of AI.

Ray Kurzweil on the Negative Impact of Technology on Society

What’s the downside of technological progress? How worried should we be about the future? The road to the future of the technological Singularity isn’t without its dangers. Every technology has the potential for misuse, and the hazards involved with biotech, nanotech, and AI are substantial. Ray Kurzweil details some of those dangers while arguing the futility of trying to halt technological progress. Continue reading to get Kurzweil’s take on the negative impact of technology on society and what he recommends as a remedy.

How Will AI Change the World? The Impact on Humanity

How will AI change the world? What will AI’s goal be in the future? A superintelligence’s “goal” is the primary factor that will determine how it will change the world. In Life 3.0, Max Tegmark explores how much power such a superintelligence would have if it greatly surpassed human capabilities. Here’s how AI could change the world.

How the Goals of AI Will Determine the Fate of Humanity

What would the goals of AI be in the future? How does the fate of humanity rest in AI’s hands? In Life 3.0, Max Tegmark asserts that if an artificial superintelligence comes into being, the fate of the human race would depend on what that superintelligence’s goal is. It may seem unrealistic, but machines actually have goals already. Take a look at what would happen to humanity based on the goals of AI.

The Positive Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Humans

What would be the positive impact of artificial intelligence on the world? Can AI be friendly? The idea that an artificial superintelligence could wield nearly unlimited power is scary. In Life 3.0, Max Tegmark describes a number of positive outcomes for humanity if this happens. Check out how artificial intelligence could make a positive difference in the world.

The 3 Possible Negative Effects of AI In the Future

What are the negative effects of AI? Could AI overpower humans? In Life 3.0, Max Tegmark takes a look at some of the existential dangers that artificial superintelligence poses. There are three scenarios in which the AI’s goal ruins humans’ chances to live a satisfying life. Discover the top three negative effects of AI in the future.

How to Survive AI: Preventing the AI Apocalypse

Can humanity survive AI? What can you do to prevent an AI takeover? Some of the possible outcomes of AI include salvation or disaster. However, all those scenarios are merely theoretical if we can address them today to help create a better future. Let’s look at how to survive AI, according to Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark.

The “California Forever” Project: Tech Billionaires’ New City

What is California Forever? Who supports and opposes the plan—and why? Will the bold vision become a reality? A secretive plan to build a futuristic city near San Francisco has sparked controversy and distrust among local residents and elected officials. Supporters of the planned city say it will create new jobs and badly needed affordable housing. Opponents fear it could hamper national security, burden already taxed infrastructure systems, and destroy their treasured rural life. Continue reading to learn more about the California Forever controversy.