Utilitarianism, Effective Altruism and Artificial Intelligence

​Effective Altruism (EA) is closely aligned with utilitarian principles, which advocate for actions that maximize overall happiness or well-being. But how does this philosophical approach apply to one of the most transformative technologies of our time: artificial intelligence? AI has the power to shape the future of human well-being—and that its ethical regulation is one of today’s most critical challenges.

​ In this talk, Sanjay Modgil, a Reader in Artificial Intelligence at King’s College London and Visiting Professor in Philosophy at the University of Milan, will explore how utilitarian thinking about the impact of AI on human well-being can help inform the ethical development, use, and regulation of AI technologies. With expertise in Formal Logic, Argumentation and Dialogue, and the Philosophy and Ethics of AI, Sanjay will examine well-known criticisms of utilitarianism that also apply to EA and utilitarian approaches to AI ethics. He will discuss how responses to these criticisms can support both EA and utilitarian frameworks in AI ethics. Finally, he will speculate on how AI might be deployed to "boost" our utilitarian impulses, potentially reinforcing and broadening the appeal of EA.

​The talk will be held in Nancy Rothwell Building, 2nd floor, Room 2A.013 and will be followed by a social at Sandbar (120 Grosvenor St, Manchester M1 7HL).