Apology of scientific reason - IV: Dilemmas of choice and ethics of artificial intelligence (AI)

Science and technology are two major drivers for development in the most advanced countries. Methodologically, critical thinking, motivated reasoning and cognitive reflection provide the conceptual framework and operational toolbox for decision making under uncertainty. The inherent limits (i.e., biases) of human bounded rationality can be overcome, so that scientific rationality is enhanced even more. Two cases are discussed to support this assumption. The first is the Newcomb's paradox, a logical and philosophical thought experiment entailing a game between two players, one of whom claims to be able to predict the future. The solution to this brainteaser is based on elementary algebra involving simple probabilities. By starting from the trolley problem, the focus of the second case is on ethical issues of artificial intelligence (AI), e.g., autonomous systems, such as driverless cars, or other disruptive and pervasive AI applications. Here, the term accountability applies to a designer who considers the question of how intelligent systems should be imbued with ethical values. The underlying argument is that the two cultures - humanities and techno-science - thanks to the many intersection and cross-fertilization points, are both faces of the same coin, i.e., interdisciplinary knowledge. This type of knowledge should belong to the education and training background of any leader, executive, or opinion maker, responsible for facing the incumbent challenges of the digital society.