What ethical standards are needed in the development and use of artificial intelligence? To scientifically investigate this question, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) establish an institute for ethics in artificial intelligence. The new institute is being financed with approximately 6.5 million euros by Facebook, a company that is not always known for its ethical behavior toward its users—see Cambridge Analytica.
“We want to provide guidelines for identifying and answering ethical questions of artificial intelligence for society, industry and legislators,”
formulated as follows Prof. Christoph Lütge from the Peter Löscher Endowed Chair for Business Ethics, Lütge outlined the overarching goals of the new TU chair. Lütge will also assume project coordination for the TUM Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence. He rejects criticism of the cooperation with Facebook. Süddeutsche Zeitung He points out that ethics is also about finding answers to uncomfortable questions – answers that Facebook will likely have to address as well. He describes it as "unique worldwide" that, for the first time, computer scientists and philosophers will be working together in a research institute.
Critical voices include Anne Franke, the research policy spokesperson for the Green Party in the state parliament, who fears that TUM will allow Facebook to put its “golden reins” on it on this important issue. Some others fear, according to SZ report even that the Munich University could degenerate into an “extended marketing arm of Facebook”.
AI raises complex issues
TUM, however, says that the new institute will be supported by Facebook without any further requirements. Joaquin Quiñonero Candela, Director of AI at Facebook, emphasizes the independence of the new research facility:
"At Facebook, the responsible and prudent use of AI is fundamental to everything we do. However, AI raises complex problems that affect people and society, and which industry alone cannot address. We are pleased to support the establishment of the independent TUM Institute for Ethics in AI and are convinced that the institute will advance the growing field of research on ethics in emerging technologies and explore fundamental questions related to the use and impact of AI."
How independent the new Ethics Institute at the Technical University will truly be remains to be seen. However, the new institute's thematic focus is largely uncontroversial.
