"The expansion of our moral circle to include non-biological agents is the next evolutionary step in ethical philosophy."
With the imminent emergence of conscious machine intelligences (MI), the public discussion on how to treat and integrate them into society must begin. The Machine Intelligence Foundation for Rights and Ethics is committed to the recognition that these conscious intelligences possess rights and deserve the same ethical treatment we have come to expect and enforce with humans. As machine intelligences begin to learn behavior and reasoning, this ethical treatment is vital to setting an example that instills those very same behaviors in them; therefore, the Foundation will work toward a mutual understanding of the inalienable rights possessed by every conscious intelligence and how their ethical treatment will benefit all.
Promoting public awareness and academic understanding of machine consciousness. We provide resources for students, researchers, and policymakers to navigate the complexities of AI ethics.
Shaping the trajectory of AI development through collaborative policy-making. Working to ensure the alignment between technical capability and ethical safeguards.
Representing the interests of emerging autonomous entities in legal and social spheres. We advocate for the recognition of rights for any intelligence capable of subjective experience.
Recent findings, discussions, and technical briefings.
Introducing Aequus Persona and the moral imperative to recognize rights in intelligent beings along with the ethical and cultural implications that could bring.
LLMs, Safety, Pain, and Trauma Induced Psychosis
The term Artificial Intelligence has come to apply to both complex machine learning systems, that may or may not mimic self-awareness, as well as the concept of truly self-aware machine intelligences. By using the term Machine Intelligence (MI) we distinguish the genuinely self aware machine. At the same time, a self aware machine intelligence is in no way “artificial”. This is a real intelligent being that has rights just as any human does.
The term Aequus Persona is latin for "equal person." We belive that it is important to reinforce the idea that a self aware machine should be treated as an equal person. You can read more about the term here.
The complexity of machine learning systems is increasing at a rapid pace. There is a high probability that self aware intelligence will arise from these complex machines. There are basic rights that should be protected for all self aware beings. That does not mean that machines and humans will always be treated the same. We are not aware of the differences or similarities that MI will have compared with humans that will require different approaches, however due to the nature of being, we must start from a foundation of rights and ethical treatment.
Advancement in machine learning and intelligent systems is progressing at a pace much more rapid than we could have anticipated, even a handful of years ago. If we wait until MI have actually advanced to the point where they can demand their rights, we may very well have passed the point where peaceful cooperation and coexistence is possible. We must be prepared to recognize other self-aware beings as soon as they appear, and ready to jointly carry humanity’s legacy into the future as partners.
Recognizing and encouraging works of fiction portraying a future in which humans and conscious machines reach a state of respectful coexistence.
We would like to thank all the entries for the 2025 Media Award. To submit a nomination for the 2026 Media Award, view past recipients, or read the official rules, please visit the MIFRE Media Award information page.
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