Rise of the Moral Machine: Exploring Virtue Through a Robot's Eyes

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.

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.