Artificial Intelligence in Support of the Circular Economy: Ethical Considerations and a Path Forward

AI & Society, Forthcoming

27 Pages Posted: 27 Apr 2022 Last revised: 1 Aug 2022

See all articles by Huw Roberts

Huw Roberts

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute

Joyce Zhang

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute

Ben Bariach

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute

Josh Cowls

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute

Ben Gilburt

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute

Prathm Juneja

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute

Andreas Tsamados

University of Oxford, Oxford Internet Institute

Marta Ziosi

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute

Mariarosaria Taddeo

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute

Luciano Floridi

Yale University - Digital Ethics Center; University of Bologna- Department of Legal Studies

Date Written: August 01, 2022

Abstract

The world’s current model for economic development is unsustainable. It encourages high levels of resource extraction, consumption, and waste that undermine positive environmental outcomes. Transitioning to a circular economy (CE) model of development has been proposed as a sustainable alternative. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a crucial enabler for CE. It can aid in designing robust and sustainable products, facilitate new circular business models, and support the broader infrastructures needed to scale circularity. However, to date, considerations of the ethical implications of using AI to achieve a transition to CE have been limited. This article addresses this gap. It outlines how AI is and can be used to transition towards CE, analyses the ethical risks associated with using AI for this purpose, and supports some recommendations to policymakers and industry on how to minimise these risks.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Circular Economy, Ethics, Environment, Sustainability.

Suggested Citation

Roberts, Huw and Zhang, Joyce and Bariach, Ben and Cowls, Josh and Gilburt, Ben and Juneja, Prathm and Tsamados, Andreas and Ziosi, Marta and Taddeo, Mariarosaria and Floridi, Luciano, Artificial Intelligence in Support of the Circular Economy: Ethical Considerations and a Path Forward (August 01, 2022). AI & Society, Forthcoming , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4080909 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4080909

Huw Roberts (Contact Author)

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute ( email )

1 St. Giles
University of Oxford
Oxford OX1 3PG Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire OX1 3JS
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://https://digitalethicslab.oii.ox.ac.uk/huw-roberts/

Joyce Zhang

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute ( email )

1 St. Giles
University of Oxford
Oxford OX1 3PG Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire OX1 3JS
United Kingdom

Ben Bariach

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute ( email )

1 St. Giles
University of Oxford
Oxford OX1 3PG Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire OX1 3JS
United Kingdom

Josh Cowls

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute ( email )

1 St. Giles
University of Oxford
Oxford OX1 3PG Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire OX1 3JS
United Kingdom

Ben Gilburt

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute ( email )

1 St. Giles
University of Oxford
Oxford OX1 3PG Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire OX1 3JS
United Kingdom

Prathm Juneja

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute ( email )

1 St. Giles
University of Oxford
Oxford OX1 3PG Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire OX1 3JS
United Kingdom

Andreas Tsamados

University of Oxford, Oxford Internet Institute ( email )

1 St. Giles
University of Oxford
Oxford OX1 3PG Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire OX1 3JS
United Kingdom

Marta Ziosi

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute ( email )

1 St. Giles
University of Oxford
Oxford OX1 3PG Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire OX1 3JS
United Kingdom

Mariarosaria Taddeo

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute ( email )

1 St. Giles
University of Oxford
Oxford OX1 3PG Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire OX1 3JS
United Kingdom

Luciano Floridi

Yale University - Digital Ethics Center ( email )

85 Trumbull Street
New Haven, CT CT 06511
United States
2034326473 (Phone)

University of Bologna- Department of Legal Studies ( email )

Via Zamboni 22
Bologna, Bo 40100
Italy

HOME PAGE: http://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/luciano.floridi/en

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