Rethinking Software Ethics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the world at a rapid pace, bringing both revolutionary possibilities and serious global challenges. From deepfakes and misinformation to biased algorithms and societal interruptions, its widespread impact raises pressing ethical concerns. Large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Copilot, or DeepSeek exemplify these issues, as their technical power comes with challenges including bias, robustness failures, data poisoning, and significant environmental impact. This article examines these challenges from an engineering perspective and evaluates how effectively ethical frameworks in software engineering address them. State-of-the-art ethical codes for computing professionals, such as the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and The Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice, provide sophisticated guidance on professional conduct. However, these codes fall short in defining ethical ends for technological innovation, leaving critical questions of societal goals and public interest unresolved. As a way to overcome these limitations, this article introduces the vision of Digital Humanism, particularly in line with the Vienna Manifesto on Digital Humanism. This approach enriches existing codes with ethical ends by highlighting guiding principles such as democracy, fairness, and inclusion. Finally, the article offers a future outlook, stressing the role of regulation, interdisciplinarity, and AI literacy in building a resilient and ethically grounded digital society in this age of artificial intelligence.