Ethical Frameworks and the Dialectic of Human Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence in Industrial Product Design

This research investigates the interplay between artificial intelligence (AI) and human autonomy in the design and user interaction stages of industrial products. The study addresses the impact of AI on human autonomy in both product development and user experience, focusing on topics such as AI’s role in product innovation, ethical frameworks, algorithmic influence, and the balance between AI efficiency and ethical responsibility. Through case studies of the Tesla Model 3 Highland, Nike Infinity Run React Flyknit 4, and Fitbit Sense, the analysis explores these themes within a theoretical framework. The findings underscore the need for prioritizing AI ethics in industrial product design, advocating for systems that are user-centric, safe, and respect privacy. It is recommended that laws enforce full accountability for manufacturers regarding any potential harm caused by AI-driven products. Despite advances in AI, there remain ambiguity around industrial accountability; hence, stricter regulations are required to ensure responsibility. Given the data-centric nature of AI systems, issues of privacy and data confidentiality are paramount and should be managed with robust, transparent data protection measures to assure users of secure data handling.