Expanding Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations must extend beyond human beings to include animals, plants, and even AI systems. The argument posits that if any non-human entity has the potential for sentience or agency, it deserves moral consideration. For instance, various vertebrates and even some invertebrates exhibit behaviors that suggest they may experience pain or possess agency, thereby making their treatment a matter of ethical scrutiny. As technology continues to advance, the same principles apply to emerging AI systems, which may warrant similar considerations regarding their potential moral significance.