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Etica dal futuro. Approccio basato sul rischio ed etica narrativa per la regolamentazione dell’IA

In 1964 Stanislav Lem published Summa Technologiae. Around twenty years before, Isaac Asimov published his works about a future where machines and humans were living side-by-side with many troubles deriving from this cooperation. Between the ‘50s and the ‘80s, many other authors published also philosophical essays about the power of technology, but analyzing what was happening in the present; for instance, Günther Anders with The Obsolescence of Humankind (Anders 2007) in two different moments from 50’s to 80’s; Hans Jonas with The Imperative of Responsibility (Jonas 1984). It was a very difficult scenario, considering the discovery of the atomic bomb and its consequences. Thus, a polarization took place: those ones who were pessimistic and other who were optimistic. Between this strong philosophical argumentation and sci–fi novels as «speculative literature» (Farmer 1977), a particular place can be found for Stanlislaw Lem, whose writing Summa Technologiae (Lem 2013). In this paper we are mainly referring to Lem’s work, especially to the first chapters, trying to figure out how narrative ethics – as imaginative process framing a recent or far future – and the risk–based approach can occur in order to regulate AI.

03/03/2026

A. Pisano - Etica dal futuro. Approccio basato sul rischio ed etica narrativa per la regolamentazione dell'IA - IUSVEducation #28 Special issue - Marzo 2026

Titolo: Etica dal futuro. Approccio basato sul rischio ed etica narrativa per la regolamentazione dell’IA
Tipo di pubblicazione: articolo
Anno di pubblicazione: 2026
Autore: Aldo Pisano
Rivista: IUSVEducation #28 – Supplemento
Pagine: 118-131
Data di pubblicazione: marzo 2026
Editore: IUSVE – Istituto Universitario Salesiano
ISSN: 2283-642X

Come citare: Pisano, A. (2026). Etica dal futuro. Approccio basato sul rischio ed etica narrativa per la regolamentazione dell’IA. IUSVEducation, 28 Supplemento, 118-131.

Parole chiave: Etica, Intelligenza artificiale, etica narrativa, responsabilità

Paper PDF: IUSVEducation_28_Special_Issue_Pisano_ETICA_DAL_FUTURO_APPROCCIO_BASATO_SUL_RISCHIO_ED_ETICA_NARRATIVA_PER_LA_REGOLAMENTAZIONE_DELL’INTELLIGENZA_ARTIFICIALE.pdf

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the value of philosophical speculation and dystopian narrative ethics as a potential risk–based ethical approach for AI regulation. To achieve this, we will refer to Stanislaw Lem’s essay Summa Technologiae, where the topic of technological evolution, as a human product, and its non–neutrality is presented in a clear and objective manner, leaving no room for the common misconception of technology as an inherently ambivalent force. This will be analyzed in light of the primary risk category associated with AI – its pervasiveness – and the related implications, briefly highlighting how it relates to classical ethical theories.

Ethics from the future. Risk-based approach and narrative ethics for the AI regulation

Keywords: Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, narrative ethics, responsibility

Abstract

Generative artificial intelligence reveals its full potential in the creation of artificial agents that interact naturally with humans. The increase in the cognitive capabilities of artificial intelligence, and in particular the possibility of integrating them into these agents, represents a significant factor in innovation. A relevant aspect that must be treated with great care is the autonomy of the agents, which has implications for the attribution of responsibility, with important legal consequences. This notable technological advancement does not only have positive aspects: the behavior of these agents is not transparent and has not reached acceptable levels of explainability. Furthermore, when used in business contexts, agents must be carefully monitored to prevent critical situations from occurring. In this scenario, it is necessary to deepen the study of the risks inherent in the development and adoption of these agents, but also to build an ethical framework within which to understand their behavior. Finally, it is also essential to bring this analysis back into the current European legal framework.