Luciano Floridi stands as one of the most influential contemporary philosophers known best for his work and research in digital ethics and the philosophy of information. His work has significantly shaped the ethical discourse surrounding Artificial Intelligence, especially through his advocacy for a global, human-centric approach that ensures the respect of fundamental rights and ethical principles. Floridi’s philosophical perspective is deeply rooted in the idea of an “infosphere”, a conceptual space encompassing all informational entities and their relations, and in the ethical responsibilities that arise from our increasing entanglement with intelligent technologies.
We will briefly explore Floridi’a work as a foundation on the ethical treatment of A.I. technologies growth and development.
The Foundation of Floridi’s Ethical Framework
Floridi’s ethical theory is built upon the principle of information ethics, which he defines as the branch of ethics that studies moral issues arising from the life and development of the infosphere. He emphasizes that as digital technologies like Artificial Intelligence become more embedded in our social, economic, and political structures, ethical analysis must expand beyond anthropocentric concerns to account for systemic, ecological, and informational considerations. Specifically, Floridi’s position is not merely about preventing harm, but about fostering what he terms flourishing, the well-being of individuals, societies, and the informational environment itself.
In his writings, Floridi has repeatedly stressed the necessity of a proactive and anticipatory ethical framework for A.I. development, one that transcends reactive regulation. His concept of “the ethics of the infosphere” reflects an ambition to create normative principles that govern the interactions between human and A.I. agents, focusing on transparency, accountability, and respect for human dignity.
Artificial Intelligence and the Call for a Global Ethical Framework
Floridi has been a vocal advocate for international cooperation in the governance of A.I.. As a member of several key advisory boards, including the European Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence, Floridi contributed to the formulation of the Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy. These guidelines propose seven essential requirements for trustworthy Artificial Intelligence, including human agency and oversight, technical robustness and safety, privacy and data governance, transparency, diversity and non-discrimination, environmental well-being, and accountability. Floridi’s influence is evident in the document’s philosophical orientation towards a human-centric and rights-based approach. Floridi argues that while different countries may pursue distinct policy frameworks, ethical principles should be as universal as possible, given the global nature of technological systems. He critiques techno-nationalism and competitive regulatory divergence, suggesting instead a “digital constitutionalism” that enshrines rights and principles applicable across jurisdictions. For Floridi, the ideal is not uniformity for its own sake, but ethical coherence that prevents regulatory arbitrage and protects vulnerable populations regardless of where they live.
The “Soft Ethics” Approach
One of Floridi’s key contributions is his notion of “soft ethics”. In contrast to “hard” or legalistic ethics, often constrained by sanctions and enforceability, soft ethics focuses on shaping societal values, fostering responsible innovation, and encouraging ethical reflection throughout the design and implementation processes of Artificial Intelligence systems. He advocates for embedding ethics within technological development, making it a first-order design concern rather than a retroactive fix.
This approach is particularly relevant when comparing the regulatory cultures of the European Union and the United States. The EU has taken a more precautionary, rights-based stance, as reflected in initiatives like the A.I. Act, which aims to classify and regulate A.I. systems based on risk. The US, in contrast, has traditionally favored innovation and market dynamics, though recent legislative developments suggest a growing awareness of the need for ethical oversight. Floridi’s framework offers a middle ground, fostering innovation while ensuring that technological progress aligns with shared moral values and democratic norms.
Artificial Intelligence as a Public Good and Ethical Agent
Floridi further explores the idea of A.I. as a public good, emphasizing that A.I. technologies should serve societal objectives and not merely private or corporate interests. He is wary of framing A.I. ethics solely in terms of risks to privacy or employment, arguing that such a view neglects the broader epistemological and ontological transformations A.I. brings to our understanding of agency, responsibility, and human identity.
He also questions the framing of A.I. as an autonomous moral agent. While AI systems may exhibit behaviors that seem intelligent or autonomous, Floridi insists that moral agency remains a distinctly human domain. Thus, the ethical responsibility for AI decisions lies not in the machines themselves, but in the designers, developers, deployers, and regulators who shape their behavior. This accountability-centric model forms the basis for ethical A.I. governance in both theory and practice.
Towards a Global Digital Ethics
In light of these arguments, Floridi has emphasized the urgent need for a “global digital ethics”. This involves not only agreeing on a baseline of fundamental rights but also addressing power asymmetries between technology producers and users, and between developed and developing countries. Ethical A.I., for Floridi, is inseparable from issues of digital justice and equity. He envisions a global infosphere that promotes inclusion, sustainability, and respect for pluralistic values while guarding against technological domination or exploitation. Floridi’s vision aligns with several contemporary global initiatives, such as UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, which promotes human rights, diversity, and sustainability as foundational ethical pillars. Yet Floridi remains cautious of “ethical blueprints” that are too abstract to implement or too relativistic to be effective. He calls instead for “ethics-by-design”, where ethical considerations are operationalized throughout the lifecycle of A.I. systems, from ideation to deployment and oversight.
Final thoughts on Floridi’s work
Luciano Floridi’s work offers a rigorous, philosophically grounded, and practically applicable framework for the ethical governance of A.I.. By emphasizing information ethics, human-centric design, global cooperation, and the need for both hard and soft regulatory mechanisms, Floridi contributes significantly to the ongoing efforts to create trustworthy, inclusive, and ethically aligned A.I. systems. His call for a universal ethical approach resonates strongly in an era where A.I. transcends borders, institutions, and cultures, necessitating not only technical regulation but also moral imagination and philosophical depth.