Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy: On the Ethical Dimension of Recommender Systems

Abstract Feasting on a plethora of social media platforms, news aggregators, and online marketplaces, recommender systems (RSs) are spreading pervasively throughout our daily activities. Over the years, host ethical issues have been associated with diffusion RSs tracking monitoring users’ data. Here, we focus impact may personal autonomy as most elusive among often-cited sources grievance public outcry. On grounds philosophically nuanced notion autonomy, illustrate three specific reasons why limit or compromise it: threat manipulation deception RSs; RSs’ power to reshape identity; knowledge critical thinking. In view, however, notwithstanding these legitimate concerns, effectively help users navigate an otherwise overwhelming landscape. Our perspective, therefore, is not be intended bulwark protect status quo but invitation carefully weigh aspects in design ethically oriented RSs.