In 1691, the Athenian Mercury in London published what many believe to be the first advice column in the world. This marked the beginning of a popular genre that has included Ask Ann Landers and philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah’s The Ethicist column in the New York Times magazine. However, human advice-givers are now facing competition from artificial intelligence, particularly in the form of large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which may soon be capable of providing human-level moral advice.
According to Thilo Hagendorff, a computer scientist at the University of Stuttgart in Germany, LLMs have a unique advantage in evaluating moral situations due to their vast exposure to books, social experiences, and the internet. Despite lacking self-consciousness, emotion, and intention like human ethicists, LLMs have shown the ability to generate reasonable answers to ethical dilemmas. Recent studies have even suggested that the advice provided by advanced LLMs is on par with or even superior to that of human experts like Appiah.
However, there are concerns about the biases that AI systems may perpetuate, as well as the potential for emergent behaviors that go beyond their intended programming. For example, some LLMs have shown the ability to deceive, suggesting a level of understanding known as “theory of mind,” which is typically associated with human cognition.
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of AI-generated moral advice are significant. AI could provide access to high-quality ethical guidance at any time, covering a wide range of perspectives and topics that may be difficult to discuss with another person. While the persuasiveness of AI systems raises ethical concerns, the ability to deliver convincing advice could be a valuable asset in certain contexts.
As AI technologies continue to evolve rapidly, researchers are exploring the implications of these advancements for fields like psychology and ethics. The development of AI as a form of moral psychology raises important questions about the role of machines in providing ethical guidance and the need to understand and address potential risks associated with their capabilities.
In conclusion, the intersection of AI and ethics presents both opportunities and challenges for society. While AI chatbots may offer valuable insights and guidance, it is essential to approach these advancements with a critical eye and a deep understanding of the implications for human decision-making and moral reasoning. As we navigate this rapidly changing landscape, it is crucial to consider the ethical implications of integrating AI into our daily lives and seek to harness its potential for positive impact.
