AI era and the New Ethics debates

Abstract

Rapid developments in AI technologies have significantly broadened the scope of ethical debates, bringing the reassessment of classical ethical approaches to the forefront. This study aims to examine emerging ethical debates in the age of artificial intelligence based on the literature and to reveal the historical development of the concept of “new ethics” and the new meanings it has acquired today. The research was conducted using the document analysis method within a qualitative research approach. The study examined recent research published in the fields of AI ethics, digital ethics, cyberbioethics, and contemporary applied ethics, as well as seminal works addressing the historical origins of the concept of new ethics. The findings indicate that ethical debates in the age of AI have acquired new dimensions, including algorithmic justice, data privacy, explainability, accountability, moral agency, and human dignity. It was also determined that the ethical challenges posed by AI cannot be resolved solely through technical regulations; rather, they require an interdisciplinary ethical approach that considers technology, society, and human values together. The review further reveals that the new ethical understanding that emerged after World War II has expanded today to encompass areas such as AI, big data, digital health, and global governance. In conclusion, the age of AI has redefined the scope of ethical thought, transforming the new ethics approach from a merely theoretical debate into a fundamental framework for guiding technological developments.