#Philosophy. Call For Papers - International Conference Levinas in Kaunas 2024READING ENTRE NOUS: FROM THE INTIMATE TO THE SOCIAL July 9th-11th 2024LSMU Emmanuel Levinas Centre

Call For Papers - International Conference Levinas in Kaunas 2024

READING ENTRE NOUS: FROM THE INTIMATE TO THE SOCIAL

July 9th-11th 2024

LSMU Emmanuel Levinas Centre / Emanuelio Levino Centras

V. Putvinskio Str. 14, Kaunas, Lithuania

Justice and the Rights of the Other in the Age of Artificial Intelligence:

A Levinasian Perspective

Vytis Maleckas

ABSTRACT

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI); Ethics; Emmanuel Levinas; Justice; Otherness

This paper explores the concept of justice and the rights of the Other in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) through the lens of Emmanuel Levinas's philosophy. Levinas's emphasis on the ethical responsibility towards the Other, particularly the vulnerable Other, provides a framework for considering the challenges posed by AI. The paper argues that AI development and implementation must prioritize the well-being and rights of the Other, ensuring AI serves humanity rather than replacing it.

Emmanuel Levinas, a 20th-century philosopher, challenged traditional Western philosophical thought that centered on the self. He emphasized the Other, particularly the vulnerability of the Other's face, as the foundation of ethics. This paper argues that Levinasian ethics offers a crucial perspective on AI, a rapidly developing technology with significant potential impact on humanity.

Levinas's concept of the Other is not simply another individual but represents an encounter that disrupts the self's focus and creates an infinite ethical responsibility. The Other's vulnerability compels the self to act ethically and prioritize the Other's well-being. This responsibility is not a choice, but an inescapable demand.

The rise of AI presents several challenges to Levinasian ethics like The Invisibility of the Other. AI systems are often complex and opaque. It can be difficult to identify the Other within an AI system, making it challenging to establish ethical responsibility. Overreliance on AI or treating AI as a replacement for human interaction can lead to the Dehumanization of Others. AI algorithms can perpetuate or exacerbate social biases, leading to discrimination and to the Potential for AI Oppression of certain groups.

To address these challenges and ensure AI development aligns with Levinasian ethics, we must prioritize that AI systems should be designed with Transparency and Explainability in mind. This allows us to understand how AI arrives at decisions and ensures fairness towards the Other.

AI should be developed like Human-Centered and implemented to augment human capabilities, not replace human interaction.

Actively prevent and mitigate biases in AI Algorithms to ensure they promote Justice and Equal Rights for All.

Levinas's philosophy offers a powerful framework for considering the ethical implications of AI. By prioritizing the Other and emphasizing our responsibility towards the vulnerable, we can ensure AI serves Humanity and fosters a just future for all.

Further discussion and research are necessary and can include developing Specific Ethical Guidelines for AI development based on Levinasian ethics; Exploring how AI can be used to promote Levinasian ideals of justice and care for the Other; Investigating the potential impact of AI on human consciousness and our understanding of the self and the Other.