The Hidden Legal and Ethical Questions Behind Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral component of modern society, transforming the way individuals communicate, conduct business, and interact. Drawing on recent case law and statutory developments, the discussion assesses how existing legal frameworks grounded in human accountability fail to account for autonomous decision-making systems. It assesses the challenges posed by data misuse, copyright infringement in generative technologies, and algorithmic bias, which perpetuate social and economic bias. Ethical analysis extends to questions of moral status and emotional manipulation, arguing that the anthropomorphism of AI risks diminishing human values while evaluating the extent to which AI should be involved in decision-making. Through the lens of autonomy and human agency, the study demonstrates how reliance on technologies can risk eroding critical thinking, compromising professional judgement, and jeopardising social isolation. Socioeconomic considerations further reveal AI’s disruptive role in labour markets, widening skill gaps, and reshaping employment hierarchies while replacing existing jobs. Within education, AI serves as a transformational tool by offering personalised learning and administrative efficiency. However, the absence of emotional intelligence underscores the irreplaceable role of human connection in fostering creativity and safety, alongside concerns about privacy. Bias, discrimination and algorithmic manipulation further complicate the relationship between innovative technologies and societal well-being, emphasising the need for adaptive governance that balances innovation with ethical integrity to safeguard individuals' safety and integrity in a rapidly evolving environment. This study analyses proposed and existing frameworks, while suggesting alternative frameworks to help mitigate such issues.