Pope John Paul II Journal of Philosophy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a concept in science fiction (sci-fi) movies or a topic for academics; it has embedded itself into daily human lives. From facial recognition unlocking phones to social media feeds curated just for us, AI is working behind the scenes. But this quiet revolution has not come without unintended consequences. Hence, this paper holds the view that as AI systems become increasingly capable and continue to be integrated into people’s daily lives, it is pertinent to consider their ethical implications. What happens when machines start making decisions that used to require human judgment? Can AI algorithms be trusted to be fair when human beings cannot even agree on what fairness looks like? And who takes the blame when things go wrong? These are not just questions for experts; they are real issues that need answers as AI continues to advance. They are real issues that are more pressing with each little step taken in the advancement and integration of Artificial Intelligence. This paper employs the philosophical methods of analysis and reflection to address the stated questions. It is of the view that AI is useful but needs a thorough ethical evaluation to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities involved with its applications.

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