ESSENCE: Interdisciplinary- International Journal of Concerned African Philosophers

The notion that humans possess unique characteristics such as thought, moral awareness, self-regeneration, and emotions has been challenged by computer scientists who develop AI systems that seem to display these traits. This raises questions about the moral status of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its ability to fulfill legal and moral responsibilities. This paper examines fundamental natural law and ethical issues in AI, focusing on moral autonomy, biases, cyber-terrorism, and digital warfare. Using a qualitative research approach, it analyzes relevant terms and examines moral conundrums underlying AI operations. The study argues the thesis that despite AI’s sophistication, it lacks the moral, spiritual, and metaphysical dimensions of human existence. It maintains that while AI can perform some impressive cognitive feats, it lacks the moral autonomy, metaphysical depth, and ethical orientation that is required by natural law traditions to undertake in full moral or legal agency. To address these concerns, the study suggests that policymakers should establish clear regulations on AI development and deployment, while developers should prioritize safety, human autonomy, transparency, accountability, and human values in AI design.

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