If A.I. does become possible, will we have obligations to treat machines “ethically?”

If A.I. does become possible, will we have obligations to treat machines “ethically?”

The possibility of creating thinking machines raises a host of ethical issues.  These questions relate both to ensuring that such machines do not harm humans and other morally relevant beings, and to the moral status of the machines themselves. Imagine, in the near future, a bank using a machine learning algorithm to recommend mortgage applications for approval.  A rejected applicant brings a lawsuit against the bank, alleging that the algorithm is discriminating racially against mortgage applicants.  The bank replies that ...