- Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have made possible the creation of
“deepfakes”, audiovisual content that shows a particular person saying and doing
things, which they did not.
Clearly, such technology can, and has been used for criminal activities – see the first
attachment (“Fraudsters used AI…”). The second attachment argues, though, that
making deepfakes is unethical, whether or not they are used to commit a criminal
act (“The deepfake artists must be stopped…”).
Is it unethical to construct a deepfake of a person without their permission, even
when it is not used to commit a crime? Why or why not? - Artificial intelligence has, in just the last few years, been transformed from an area
of mostly academic interest into a significant source of business profit and
government investment. In some cases (first attachment: “AI Startup Boom Raises
Questions…”) businesses seem to have exaggerated the extent to which their
operations depend on AI, and are instead relying on human labour, so as to attract
investment.
The second attachment (“This AI Startup…”) provides many more examples of these
exaggerations, and notes contexts in which human labour is doing tasks that we
might be more comfortable assigning to computers.
Is it unethical to mislead a customer, investor, or others about the extent to which
labour involved in the provision of a good or service is done by people instead of
AI? Why or why not?
In answering the questions, please apply the method of philosophical analysis. This means
doing the following.
(i) Pick an answer to the questions. You cannot complete the assignment without
providing clear answers to the questions.
(ii) Justify your answer with arguments. These arguments should apply the ethical
theories we have discussed in this course.
(iii) Consider arguments which lead to conclusions other than the ones you reach.
Explain why you think these arguments do not work.
In your writing assignment, avoid repeating details from the attached material except
when necessary to make a point. You can assume that your reader has already given close
attention to that material. However, I do suggest repeating details when they are
important to arguments you discuss.
To do well on this assignment, your writing should reflect understanding and application
of the ethical theories we have been discussing in class. While grading will be concerned
mainly with content, I will take off 5% for every three spelling, grammar, or style errors, up
to a total of 50% of your grade. Writing assignments should be 1250 words in length, +/-
10% (125 words). The first writing assignment will be due via a hardcopy at the beginning
of class Mon. Oct. 7.
For credit on your paper you must also submit an identical copy of your paper via the
Urkund link on the course Brightspace site no later than when you hand in your paper
copy.
Please double space your papers with 1 inch margins, use a 12 pt. font, and include a
word count.
Note: The University Writing Center lists its services here:
https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/writing-and-study-skills.html
They offer seminars, one-on-one sessions, and other resources to help students improve
their writing. I encourage you to use their services.
Sample Solution