Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and Diffused Pivotality

45 Pages Posted: 28 May 2021 Last revised: 21 Dec 2021

See all articles by GATE Working Paper Series

GATE Working Paper Series

Université de Lyon - Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique Lyon Saint-Etienne (GATE)

Victor Klockmann

University of Würzburg - Business Administration & Economics; Max Planck Institute for Human Development - Center for Humans and Machines

Alicia von Schenk

University of Würzburg - Business Administration & Economics; Max Planck Institute for Human Development - Center for Humans and Machines

Marie Claire Villeval

GATE, CNRS

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: December 20, 2021

Abstract

With Big Data, decisions made by machine learning algorithms depend on training data generated by many individuals. In an experiment, we identify the effect of varying individual responsibility for the moral choices of an artificially intelligent algorithm. Across treatments, we manipulated the sources of training data and thus the impact of each individual’s decisions on the algorithm. Diffusing such individual pivotality for algorithmic choices increased the share of selfish decisions and weakened revealed prosocial preferences. This does not result from a change in the structure of incentives. Rather, our results show that Big Data offers an excuse for selfish behavior through lower responsibility for one’s and others’ fate.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Pivotality, Ethics, Externalities, Experiment

JEL Classification: C49, C91, D10, D63, D64, O33

Suggested Citation

Working Paper Series, GATE and Klockmann, Victor and von Schenk, Alicia and Villeval, Marie Claire, Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and Diffused Pivotality (December 20, 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3853829 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3853829

GATE Working Paper Series (Contact Author)

Université de Lyon - Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique Lyon Saint-Etienne (GATE) ( email )

93, chemin des Mouilles
Ecully, 69130
France

HOME PAGE: http://www.gate.cnrs.fr/

Victor Klockmann

University of Würzburg - Business Administration & Economics ( email )

Sanderring 2
Wuerzburg, 97070
Germany

Max Planck Institute for Human Development - Center for Humans and Machines ( email )

Lentzeallee 94
Berlin, 14195
Germany

Alicia Von Schenk

University of Würzburg - Business Administration & Economics ( email )

Sanderring 2
Wuerzburg, D-97070
Germany

Max Planck Institute for Human Development - Center for Humans and Machines ( email )

Berlin
Germany

Marie Claire Villeval

GATE, CNRS ( email )

93, chemin des Mouilles
Ecully, 69130
France
+33 472 86 60 79 (Phone)
+33 472 86 60 90 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://sites.google.com/view/marie-claire-villeval

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