Envisioning Ethical Mass Influence Systems

ABSTRACTThis work envisions the possibility of ethical Mass Influence Systems (MISs). Modern algorithmic MISs, like Facebook and YouTube, have seen a link between the systems design for profit maximization and the increased radicalization of users (Wu, 2017). Using a Goals analysis grounded in philosophy (Falcon, 2022; Lipton, 1990; Bostrom, 2014), we will contrast the goals of existing algorithmic MISs with the goals of a future ethical algorithmic MIS. With the philosophical guidance of the Moral Parliament (Newberry & Ord, 2021) and the Moral Landscape (Janoff‐Bulman & Carnes, 2013), we elaborate on a set of goals and mechanisms for promoting human flourishing via ethical MISs.