Ateneo - UPO

The course will focus on some of the main ethical issues related to digital transformation and the spread of artificial intelligence, exploring the potential of contemporary ethical theory to address these issues. Topics will include the ways in which digitisation changes our perception of ourselves, our social relationships, our ownership of information and our virtual and real environments. We will also discuss which decisions can be entrusted to artificial agents, analysing some exemplary cases of conflict between ethical principles. Real-life examples will be examined, and the relationship between different ethical perspectives and the creation of laws, regulatory acts, and codes of ethics in the digital sphere will be explored.

Fabio Fossa, Viola Schiaffonati and Guglielmo Tamburrini (eds.), Automi e persone. Introduzione all'etica dell'intelligenza artificiale e della robotica. Carocci 2021, five chapters of your choice .
Luciano Floridi, Etica dell'intelligenza artificiale: sviluppi, opportunità, sfide, Raffaello Cortina 2023 (Also English edition: The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, 2022), two chapters chosen from the following: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9.
PPT presntations and other readings posted by the teacher on DIR during the course.

- Introduction to digital ethics and its conceptual foundations

- Analysis of the main ethical theories and their applications in the digital context

- Development of ethical argumentation skills based on a sound understanding of ethical principles and their applications in the digital world

- Promotion of self-reflection and critical awareness of the ethical impact of one's digital actions

- Critical evaluation of existing laws and regulations in the digital environment

None

Lectures, class discussions, use of audiovisual tools. Self-assessment tests will be published on the DIR to be discussed in class.

Students are strongly recommended to follow the course page updates posted on DIR for supplementary and supporting lecture material as well as the detailed syllabus.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request
specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse

e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-
students-physical-or-learning-disabilities

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted
the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination
modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Oral Examination. The examination will consist of four questions on the course topics or, for those who wish, three questions and the presentation of a seminar on one of the topics covered.

1. Digital ethics: what it is and why it matters. The tools of contemporary ethics for the problems of digital society. Example of a moral dilemma and two types of solution. From the “train car problem” to self-driving vehicles. 2. Us and our data: identity of the individual (information data and biometric data); nudges, deep nudges and autonomous decision-making. 3. The environment: a) the digital environment: how large language models pollute the web; b) the physical environment: the sustainability of big data; the limits of scaling. 4. Us and others in the infosphere: hate speech and polarisation; sociality and affectivity in the infosphere; lights and shadows of “gamification”. 5. Society: surveillance capitalism; stereotypes and prejudice; the growth of inequality; artefacts and responsibility. 6. Knowledge: Large Language Models and post-truth; cognitive biases and algorithmic biases. 7. From ethics to standards: the regulatory debate; laws, regulations and codes of ethics; the different approaches of EU, US, CHINA. Hints on GDPR and European AI-ACT. NOTE: Gender mainstreaming: cases of gender-based discrimination will be illustrated in the part on algorithmic bias.

1. Knowledge and understanding:
- Introduction to digital ethics and its conceptual foundations.
- Study of the ethical implications of digital technological advances.
- Analysis of the main ethical theories and their applications in the digital context.
- Examination of issues of privacy, digital accessibility and fairness in the digital age.
2. Application of knowledge and understanding:
- Case study regarding ethical dilemmas in the digital context.
- Analysis and discussion of ethical scenarios arising from the use of digital technologies in specific sectors.
- Development of critical skills to evaluate and solve ethical problems in the digital environment.
3. Autonomous judgement:
- Deepening ethical skills to make informed and responsible decisions in complex digital contexts.
- Critical evaluation of existing ethical policies, laws and rules in the digital environment.
- Development of ethical argumentation skills based on a sound understanding of ethical principles and their applications in the digital world.
4. Communication skills:
- Development of effective communication skills in presenting and discussing ethical issues related to the digital world.
- Practice in accurate and persuasive writing of documents addressing ethical dilemmas in the digital context.
- Use of digital media to promote debate and awareness on digital ethics.
5. Learning skills:
- Development of a continuous learning mindset to stay abreast of emerging ethical issues in the digital context.
- Promotion of self-reflection and critical awareness of the ethical impact of one's digital actions.
- Ability to adapt and respond to ethical changes resulting from technological innovations in the digital world.