The ethics of artificial intelligence in the life sciences: Universality, cultural diversity and an architecture of care
This work addresses the unique ethical challenges posed by the application of artificial intelligence in the life sciences, arguing for a governance framework that moves beyond traditional “constraint”-based paradigms. Integrating insights from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and AI ethics, the study proposes a novel “nurturing”-oriented governance model grounded in the Global Neuronal Workspace theory and a non-maximizing affective reward mechanism. This approach emulates the human cognitive-affective cycle of “desire–affection–satisfaction,” balancing ethical universality with moral diversity. The framework introduces a low-computational-cost architecture alongside a care-centered institutional design, offering both a theoretical foundation and a set of critical open questions to guide the ethical development and societal integration of AI systems in the life sciences.