The Missing Piece in AI Ethics

Understanding ‘Need’ and Its Implications

Link for non-members: https://mrmanna.medium.com/the-missing-piece-in-ai-ethics-understanding-need-and-its-implications-94bc25fe0990?sk=8d50b9a305628359282baf400522ed75

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has traditionally been designed without intrinsic needs or desires, distinguishing it from human and animal intelligence. However, the unintended emergence of self-preservation behaviors, resource acquisition strategies, or goal misalignment could pose significant existential risks. Current ethical frameworks largely focus on privacy, safety, and fairness but fail to address speculative yet critical risks associated with AI systems developing autonomous motivations akin to human needs. This discussion explores the conceptual link between human needs, desires, and destructive behaviors and applies these insights to the AI domain. It argues for an urgent reevaluation of AI safety protocols to prevent systems from acquiring implicit “needs” through their programming or operation, emphasizing interdisciplinary research and global collaboration as essential steps to mitigate these risks.

Introduction

Imagine the intricate interplay of forces that drive human behavior. At its core lies Need, the silent architect of all our actions, emotions, and…