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AI Ethics and Ordoliberalism 2.0: Towards A 'Digital Bill of Rights'

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  • Manuel Woersdoerfer

Abstract

This article analyzes AI ethics from a distinct business ethics perspective, i.e., 'ordoliberalism 2.0.' It argues that the ongoing discourse on (generative) AI relies too much on corporate self-regulation and voluntary codes of conduct and thus lacks adequate governance mechanisms. To address these issues, the paper suggests not only introducing hard-law legislation with a more effective oversight structure but also merging already existing AI guidelines with an ordoliberal-inspired regulatory and competition policy. However, this link between AI ethics, regulation, and antitrust is not yet adequately discussed in the academic literature and beyond. The paper thus closes a significant gap in the academic literature and adds to the predominantly legal-political and philosophical discourse on AI governance. The paper's research questions and goals are twofold: First, it identifies ordoliberal-inspired AI ethics principles that could serve as the foundation for a 'digital bill of rights.' Second, it shows how those principles could be implemented at the macro level with the help of ordoliberal competition and regulatory policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Manuel Woersdoerfer, 2023. "AI Ethics and Ordoliberalism 2.0: Towards A 'Digital Bill of Rights'," Papers 2311.10742, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2311.10742
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