Towards Moral Autonomous Systems
  Both the ethics of autonomous systems and the problems of their technical
implementation have by now been studied in some detail. Less attention has been
given to the areas in which these two separate concerns meet. This paper,
written by both philosophers and engineers of autonomous systems, addresses a
number of issues in machine ethics that are located at precisely the
intersection between ethics and engineering. We first discuss the main
challenges which, in our view, machine ethics posses to moral philosophy. We
them consider different approaches towards the conceptual design of autonomous
systems and their implications on the ethics implementation in such systems.
Then we examine problematic areas regarding the specification and verification
of ethical behavior in autonomous systems, particularly with a view towards the
requirements of future legislation. We discuss transparency and accountability
issues that will be crucial for any future wide deployment of autonomous
systems in society. Finally we consider the, often overlooked, possibility of
intentional misuse of AI systems and the possible dangers arising out of
deliberately unethical design, implementation, and use of autonomous robots.
