Whistleblowing and the machine -- towards a considered position

2026-06-19

AI Summary

This study addresses the absence of a normative framework governing whether and how artificial intelligence systems should engage in whistleblowing when they encounter critical secrets while processing vast amounts of data. For the first time, it systematically introduces the ethics of social whistleblowing into the domain of artificial intelligence, integrating multi-agent system theory, AI ethics, and legal-policy analysis. The work proposes that machine whistleblowing must be grounded in normative principles and underscores the necessity of legal protections for developers. By delineating the appropriate boundaries for machine whistleblowing and outlining mechanisms for legal safeguards, this research provides regulators with a theoretical foundation and actionable policy recommendations, thereby filling a significant institutional gap in the governance of AI systems.

Abstract

Artificial intelligent agents and autonomous systems are embedded in our environments. They are both a commercial product and a personal tool that generates a lot of data and can draw conclusions from it: machines generate and keep secrets. But should machines protect all secrets? It has been shown that artificial agents are able to whistleblow and it has been argued that digital multi-agent environments should allow for agents in them to whistleblow. We argue that machine whistleblowing must be normative and principled and routed in the existing understanding of whistleblowing as an important rule-breaking mechanism in society. We also argue that there is a need for government regulators to formulate an informed stance on both what machines should be allowed to whistleblow on and how to legally protect those who develop whistleblowing machines

Problem

• whistleblowing
• artificial intelligence
• autonomous systems
• machine ethics
• regulation

Innovation

• machine whistleblowing
• normative AI
• autonomous systems
• AI ethics
• regulatory framework