Artificial agency and the game of semantic extension

Abstract

Artificial agents are commonly described by using words that traditionally belong to the semantic field of life. I call this phenomenon the game of semantic extension. However, the semantic extension of words as crucial as ‘autonomous’, ‘intelligent’, ‘creative’, ‘moral’, and so on, is often perceived as unsatisfactory, which is signalled with the extensive use of inverted commas or other syntactical cues. Such practice, in turn, has provoked harsh criticism that usually refers back to the literal meaning of the words to show their inappropriateness in describing artificial agents. Hence the question: how can we choose our words appropriately and wisely while making sense of artificial agents? This paper tries to answer by sketching the main features of the game of semantic extension in relation to artificial agency, reviewing the related opportunities and risks, and advancing some practical suggestions on how to play the game well.