Exploring the Concept of Solidarity in the Context of AI: An Ethics in Design Approach

Abstract

AI ethics guidelines have proposed the principle of solidarity as an important principle for Ethics in Artificial Intellligence (AI). However, they often leave out explanations on how solidarity ought to be understood and put into practice in the context of ethical AI. This paper explores the principle of solidarity in the context of AI. It examines solidarity from an Ethics in Design perspective, meaning how solidarity could be accounted for in the processes of technological design. Since solidarity conceptualisations differ depending on the respective discipline they are applied in, this paper first attempts to disentangle the many conceptual understandings and proposes a more discipline-neutral solidarity account describing solidarity’s core on the basis of five elements: (1) an element of relationality based on (2) a connecting element that builds the grounds for the relationship, (3) a cognitive element of awareness and recognition, (4) a motivational source, and (5) an element of duty. By using this account to explore solidarity in an AI context, it will be shown that approaching solidarity with an Ethics in Design perspective has its challenges. Therefore, it is proposed that solidarity should be conceived of not as an ideal end state but as a perspective or lens that can guide design choices. Ethics in Design methods such as user-centric or participatory design are discussed as potential enablers for adopting such a solidarity perspective. Lastly, the paper addresses some challenges and limitations and argues that an approach to solidarity in Ethics in Design needs to be complemented with collective decision-making at the societal level, which is a political task.