# AI virtues -- The missing link in putting AI ethics into practice

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.12750 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2011.12750/

## Key facts

- Cited by 9 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 25 Nov 2020.

## Built on by (most cited first, 9 of 9)

- [Mapping the Ethics of Generative AI: A Comprehensive Scoping Review](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.08323/) (2024)
- [Heterogeneous Value Alignment Evaluation for Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2305.17147/) (2023)
- [Conceptual Framework for Autonomous Cognitive Entities](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.06775/) (2023)
- [If our aim is to build morality into an artificial agent, how might we begin to go about doing so?](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.08295/) (2023)
- [Atomist or Holist? A Diagnosis and Vision for More Productive Interdisciplinary AI Ethics Dialogue](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2208.09174/) (2022)
- [AI for Open Science: A Multi-Agent Perspective for Ethically Translating Data to Knowledge](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.18852/) (2023)
- [Rule-Based Moral Principles for Explaining Uncertainty in Natural Language Generation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2509.07190/) (2025)
- [Technology as uncharted territory: Contextual integrity and the notion of AI as new ethical ground](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.05130/) (2024)
- [AI Ethics and Social Norms: Exploring ChatGPT's Capabilities From What to How](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.18044/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Several seminal ethics initiatives have stipulated sets of principles and standards for good technology development in the AI sector. However, widespread criticism has pointed out a lack of practical realization of these principles. Following that, AI ethics underwent a practical turn, but without deviating from the principled approach and the many shortcomings associated with it. This paper proposes a different approach. It defines four basic AI virtues, namely justice, honesty, responsibility and care, all of which represent specific motivational settings that constitute the very precondition for ethical decision making in the AI field. Moreover, it defines two second-order AI virtues, prudence and fortitude, that bolster achieving the basic virtues by helping with overcoming bounded ethicality or the many hidden psychological forces that impair ethical decision making and that are hitherto disregarded in AI ethics. Lastly, the paper describes measures for successfully cultivating the mentioned virtues in organizations dealing with AI research and development.