A UW Perspectives article has been published on the question of “Can Machines Learn Morality?”. Today, as people around the globe turn to artificial intelligence (AI) for information and guidance, the question of whether a machine can learn morality is very real.
Researchers at the University of Washington are exploring this question through a collaboration between the Institute for Leaning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS) in the College of Arts & Sciences and the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering in the College of Engineering.
“A large part of human life is making decisions that involve morals and values,” says Andrew Meltzoff, I-LABS co-director and professor of psychology. “As humans work more closely with machines and computer agents, our lives become more intertwined with AI making suggestions for us on decision-making. A key question becomes whether AI can learn to make value-laden decisions, considering values and norms related to the user’s culture.”
Read more in the September 2025 Perspectives article here.