The Corrupting Influence of AI as a Boss or Counterparty

Abstract

In a recent article K ̈obis, Bonnefon, and Rahwan (2021) propose a framework to identify four different primary roles in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) cause unethical or corrupt human behaviour; namely - role model, delegate, partner, and advisor. In this article we propose two further roles - AI as boss and AI as counterparty. We argue that the AI boss exerts coercive power over its employees whilst the different perceptual abilities of an AI counterparty provide an opportunity for humans to behave differently towards them than they would with human analogues. Unethical behaviour towards the AI counterparty is rationalised because it is not human. For both roles, the human will will typically not have any choice about their participation in the interaction

Keywords: AI ethics, Corruption, Algorithmic Management