Promote Ecological Prosperity

The development of AI should promote the prosperity of biodiversity and ecology, and should continue to promote the use of AI to explore life, understand life, and most importantly, protect life.
Principle: Principles on Artificial Intelligence for Biodiversity Conservation, August 25, 2022

Published by International Research Center for AI Ethics and Governance, Instituteof Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences,World Animal Protection Beijing Representative Office and other 7 entities

Related Principles

· Do Good

AI should be designed and developed to promote the progress of society and human civilization, to promote the sustainable development of nature and society, to benefit all mankind and the environment, and to enhance the well being of society and ecology.

Published by Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence (BAAI); Peking University; Tsinghua University; Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Artifical Intelligence Industry Innovation Strategy Alliance (AITISA); etc. in Beijing AI Principles, May 25, 2019

Overall Vision

Like human beings, the life of all other living beings on Earth deserves respect. A well maintained biodiversity is essential for a living planet, and is the basis for the survival and development of humanity. Protecting biodiversity contributes to the viability of Earth, and promotes the harmonious coexistence and sustainable development of human beings and nature. From the perspective of global ecology and biodiversity, the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) should shift away from anthropocentrism towards a more ecocentric approach. Human beings and all other living organisms on Earth are common inhabitants of this planet. AI should be used to promote the conservation of biodiversity, to facilitate sufficient habitat for all living organisms, and to ensure that all living organisms have complete ecological functions in the ecosystem in which they live. When using ecosystem services, ethics, public order, and morality should be observed, and living organisms should not be subjected to unnecessary suffering. Endangered organisms with important ecological, scientific, or social value or with close emotional connections with humans should be particularly protected. In order to promote the harmonious development of technology and ecology, especially to promote Biodiversity Conservation, with full considerations of international consensus such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, and the UNESCO Declaration of Ethical Principles in relation to Climate Change, the following principles are proposed for the development and application of AI for Biodiversity Conservation:

Published by International Research Center for AI Ethics and Governance, Instituteof Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences,World Animal Protection Beijing Representative Office and other 7 entities in Principles on Artificial Intelligence for Biodiversity Conservation, August 25, 2022

Sustainable Development

AI should promote the humane sustainable development of biodiversity resources, and should contribute to the research and development of alternative solutions and the promotion of their application to support the harmonious coexistence of human and nature.

Published by International Research Center for AI Ethics and Governance, Instituteof Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences,World Animal Protection Beijing Representative Office and other 7 entities in Principles on Artificial Intelligence for Biodiversity Conservation, August 25, 2022

· Environment and ecosystem flourishing

17. Environmental and ecosystem flourishing should be recognized, protected and promoted through the life cycle of AI systems. Furthermore, environment and ecosystems are the existential necessity for humanity and other living beings to be able to enjoy the benefits of advances in AI. 18. All actors involved in the life cycle of AI systems must comply with applicable international law and domestic legislation, standards and practices, such as precaution, designed for environmental and ecosystem protection and restoration, and sustainable development. They should reduce the environmental impact of AI systems, including but not limited to its carbon footprint, to ensure the minimization of climate change and environmental risk factors, and prevent the unsustainable exploitation, use and transformation of natural resources contributing to the deterioration of the environment and the degradation of ecosystems.

Published by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in The Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, Nov 24, 2021