Artificial Intelligences and Karma: An Evaluation of Information Technology in Light of J.L. Shaw’s Concept of Moral Free Will

TLDR: In this paper, the authors argue that it is possible for Artificial Intelligences to also attain intelligence and consciousness equal, though not identical, to that of human beings, and that if AIs attain such a state then they will automatically become responsible for their choice of actions and its consequences.

Abstract: J.L. Shaw in his discussion on free will proposes that human beings are distinct from other animals since they possess knowledge and free will, guided by the concept of ‘ought’ and ‘ought not’. Drawing on both Western and Hindu philosophy he argues that humans realise their dignity in unselfish moral actions, which is karma. However neuroscience has demonstrated that human consciousness is a product of intricate physical processes in our bodies. Such biological processes have their counterparts in hardware and software of computers. This paper argues that this being the case, it is possible for Artificial Intelligences to also attain intelligence and consciousness equal, though obviously not identical, to that of human beings. If AIs attain such a state then they will automatically become responsible for their choice of actions and its consequences. If AIs become truly self-aware then the concept of karma must apply to them.