My Thoughts on AI Ethics

Is AI Worth It?

Lately, I’ve been wrestling—like many in the AI space—with the potential consequences of artificial intelligence for humanity. Yet my response to arguments that AI is inherently unethical is that what we truly need is a revolution, one that is fundamentally economic and societal. AI itself doesn’t dictate unethical resource use; rather, it reflects the ethical standards already embedded in our global systems. The real question isn’t whether AI is problematic, but why we tolerate these conditions in the first place.

The truth is that every aspect of consumption and capitalism carries ethical weight. From art supplies derived from petroleum to the cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo—driven by demand for green tech and displacing millions—our systems are built on foundations that are, by and large, unethical.

So do we halt all progress, creation, and consumption? Or do we awaken to the realities of our systems, confront them openly, and share these insights? I choose the latter path.

AI technologies tend to gain broader acceptance in regions like Latin America, Asia, and other parts of the Global South, where they’re often seen as tools for economic advancement and global equity. Western ethical frameworks don’t always align with the lived realities of these communities—including in the Philippines, where my parents are from.

In the West, we cling so tightly to preserving our own advantages that we overlook the struggles of others abroad. This mindset reflects a legacy of paternalism and a painful history of who controls the world’s direction. Yes, the AI industry is unethical—but that doesn’t mean technology itself must be.

I believe in a future where we greet technology with curiosity, optimism, and hope—rather than dystopian dread, a reaction born from global instability and economic uncertainty.