FOR centuries, humans believed that morality was the exclusive domain of human conscience, shaped by reason, empathy and responsibility. Machines were created to obey, not to judge; to execute, not to decide. Yet the age of artificial intelligence has quietly unsettled this assumption. Today, algorithms evaluate creditworthiness, determine medical priorities, influence political opinions and even select military targets, exercising a form of authority once reserved for human judgment. The use of technology in the past was entirely under human control.

What distinguishes the present era, however, is the unprecedented authority granted to machines. Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to science fiction; it now shapes decision-making in finance, security, healthcare, governance and warfare. As machines increasingly influence human outcomes, a fundamental question confronts philosophers, policymakers and regulators alike: can a machine-driven destiny align with moral values? The answer depends not on technology itself, but on humanity’s willingness to establish and enforce robust ethical frameworks.

Recent developments suggest that such ethical governance remains fragile. The World Economic Forum has reported cases where criminals used AI-generated voices and images to deceive employees into transferring millions of dollars. These incidents demonstrate how AI, when deployed without strict ethical guidelines, can become a powerful tool for privacy violations and financial fraud. In an environment where individuals cannot trust the safety of their data, the notion of moral artificial intelligence becomes deeply questionable.

The ethical void surrounding AI is further exposed by its role in spreading........

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