Understanding Artificial Agency

Dung L (2025)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Book Volume: 75

Pages Range: 450-472

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1093/pq/pqae010

Abstract

Which artificial intelligence (AI) systems are agents? To answer this question, I propose a multidimensional account of agency. According to this account, a system's agency profile is jointly determined by its level of goal-directedness and autonomy as well as is abilities for directly impacting the surrounding world, long-term planning and acting for reasons. Rooted in extant theories of agency, this account enables fine-grained, nuanced comparative characterizations of artificial agency. I show that this account has multiple important virtues and is more informative than alternatives. More speculatively, it may help to illuminate two important emerging questions in AI ethics: 1. Can agency contribute to the moral status of non-human beings, and how? 2. When and why might AI systems exhibit power-seeking behaviour and does this pose an existential risk to humanity?.

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How to cite

APA:

Dung, L. (2025). Understanding Artificial Agency. Philosophical Quarterly, 75(2), 450-472. https://doi.org/10.1093/pq/pqae010

MLA:

Dung, Leonard. "Understanding Artificial Agency." Philosophical Quarterly 75.2 (2025): 450-472.

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