ARTIFICIAL

Recent events vividly reflect Vallor’s central arguments. Issues such as algorithmic bias, misinformation, and environmental challenges highlight the risks she warns about. For example, systems like OpenAI’s GPT-4 have been criticized for perpetuating biases embedded in their training data, illustrating how AI often mirrors past injustices. Similarly, misinformation campaigns powered by AI tools have undermined democratic processes in recent elections, deepening political polarization and eroding public trust.

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"Moral Codes: Designing Alternatives to AI" by Alan F. Blackwell presents a compelling critique of the current trajectory of artificial intelligence (AI) research, advocating for a paradigm shift towards the development of more expressive and human-centric programming languages. Blackwell, a seasoned programming language designer since 1983, contends that the prevailing AI agenda has deviated from its original promise of alleviating mundane human labor, instead encroaching upon domains of human creativity and emotional engagement.

The author introduces the concept of "MORAL CODE," an acronym for More Open Representations, Access to Learning, and Control Over Digital Expression. He posits that by focusing on these principles, we can develop programming languages that empower users to articulate their intentions more effectively to computers, thereby fostering software that serves societal well-being rather than merely enhancing efficiency or profitability.

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