Extended Essays 2021

Government by AI

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Introduction – AI ’ s Brave New World

With the advent of powerful artificial assistants and computer program that defeated the best

human player in the game Go, there has been increasing debate about artificial intelligence and

their potential for decision making using their exceptional logical ability. 1

While some people advocate passionately for this possibility, others remain sceptical. For

example, the Queensland Law Society (QLS) has initiated an inquiry about automated

decision-making using artificial intelligence in court. 2 While there are obvious advantages as

AI can be impartial, knowledgeable, and efficient, the inquiry expressed doubts over whether

the idea of “fairness, ethics, accountability and transparency” can be taught by cod ing. With

the rising demand for efficiency and the “exponential growth rate” of AIs as Elon Musk

claimed, it is crucial to discuss the inevitable future of AI governance. 3 Thus, the fundamental

philosophical question is can AI have the properties of a rational being sufficient for it to

substitute as a human?

Philosophical Inquiry - Methodology

Assuming that AI’s rational capacity is the critical reason that people would consider them as

suitable leaders, the argument for AI governance is as follows:

Premise 1 A : If one makes rational decision, they are a good leader.

1 "Google AI Defeats Human Go Champion". 2021. BBC News . https://www.bbc.com/news/technology- 40042581. 2 Queensland Law Society has backed proposals for an inquiry into the use of automated decision-making in administrative law. Proctor online law magazine. “ QLS supports inquiry on automated decision-making and administrative law ” , 14 September 2020. Accessed at https://www.qlsproctor.com.au/2020/09/qls-supports- inquiry-on-automated-decision-making-and-administrative-law/. 3 Clifford, Catherine. 2018. "Elon Musk: ‘Mark My Words — A.I. Is Far More Dangerous Than Nukes’". CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/13/elon-musk-at-sxsw-a-i-is-more-dangerous-than-nuclear-weapons.html

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