PhD position in philosophy/ethics of AI

"Improving automated rational choice through ethical metacognition". Fully funded for 4y. #AIEthics #AIPhilosophy - Deadline 30.05.2021 (may be extended) - http://jobsinphilosophy.org/lists/Europe

In AI it is normally assumed that “rational choice” for AI is to choose the action with the highest expected subjective utility. But apart from well-known problems with rational choice in real-world environments (e.g. uncertainty, dynamic changes, other agents, non-discreteness of actions), we know from the human example that highly complex choices in real-world environments require metacognition, e.g. considering which utility function to use, whether our reasoning is trustworthy, whether knowledge is sufficient, whether to act now or to optimise the decision further - and especially whether a course of action is ethical. Humans are able to change the frame of reference and move to metacognition, when needed. When should an AI system say: “It is best not decide this and act now, I should change the frame”? (The project description below provides a rough outline, but the particular PhD project will be refined by the candidate.)

The position is fully funded with a salary for 4 years (ca. €33000-42000/y gross, 30% rule may apply) and offers excellent working conditions in a philosophy group with particular strengths in philosophy of AI. The project is embedded in a programme with 10 PhD students who work on projects related to the "AI Planner of the Future", considering AI planning for supply chains and logistics.

Starting date is September 2021 (negotiable).