The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

“With remarkable clarity and insight, Sven Nyholm guides readers through the central moral issues and questions raised by artificial intelligence—from alignment and accountability to moral status and human flourishing. Refusing both hype and moral panic, the book offers a steady and humane account of how traditions in moral philosophy can inform and guide technological innovation even as AI compels us to reexamine what it means to think and act ethically. An exceptionally accessible work that speaks equally to students, scholars, and general readers alike.” —David J. Gunkel, Northern Illinois University; author of The Machine Question: Critical Perspectives on AI, Robots and Ethics and Person, Thing, Robot: A Moral and Legal Ontology for the 21st Century and Beyond “Sven Nyholm’s book manages to be both cutting-edge and timeless—it should be an instant classic. Clear, intellectually serious, and remarkably accessible, it is an ideal introduction to the ethics of artificial intelligence. Ranging from classic questions about intelligence, agency, and responsibility to today’s debates about generative AI, authorship, digital duplicates of real people, AI moral advisors, consciousness, and the future of work, Nyholm offers a rare combination of philosophical nuance and plain-language clarity. He neither sensationalizes nor sanitizes AI’s ethical challenges, instead guiding the reader through them with balance, insight, and a steady hand. This book is perfectly suited for students, policymakers, and general readers—yet it also advances the scholarly conversation with original, up-to-date arguments and a unifying philosophical vision. There is no better philosopher to bring the ethics of AI to a wide audience.”