Toward a Cultural Co-Genesis of AI Ethics

Culture should be viewed as a partner in creating AI ethics, not an obstacle to overcome. Rather than treating cultural differences as problems that need to be "managed" or "tolerated," the paper argues that different cultural perspectives actively contribute to developing better ethical frameworks for AI through dialogue and mutual engagement.

There is more ethical common ground on AI across cultures than typically assumed. The empirical analysis of global AI ethics principles from the Linking AI Principles project found "deep ethical convergence despite cultural diversity," suggesting that universal agreement on AI ethics may be more achievable than current debates suggest.

Powerful new technologies can be understood through diverse cultural lenses beyond Western existential risk frameworks. The paper's analysis of how various cultures interpret powerful new species challenges the dominance of Western narratives about AI risks, indicating that other cultural traditions offer valuable alternative perspectives on emerging technologies.

Effective global AI ethics requires moving beyond both "one-size-fits-all" universalism and complete cultural relativism. The framework rejects the false choice between imposing universal standards and accepting that "anything goes," instead proposing that ethical values emerge through genuine cross-cultural conversation and shared inquiry.

Cross-cultural AI ethics should be understood as an evolving collaborative process, not a final compromise. The paper describes this as a "mosaic in progress," emphasizing that ethical frameworks for AI will continue to develop as different cultures contribute their normative insights over time.