AI Ethics and The Tunnel Problem

There is no questioning the true potential that AI has to offer. However, as AI technology continues to develop and grow in sophistication, we are beginning to become more aware of the possible ethical and moral consequences associated with machines that are designed to think for themselves. The Tunnel Problem is one popular ethical thought experiment involving an autonomous car. Let's say that there is a self-driving car carrying a passenger and it is driving into a tunnel. Suddenly, a child runs across the road and trips, forcing the car into an impossible situation – either swerve over to the side of the tunnel, which will most definitely kill the occupant of the car, or run over the child.