Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks for Autonomous Vehicles: A Review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Autonomous vehicles must be capable of making decisions in complex traffic situations, some of which raise ethical questions, and the design of ethical decision-making frameworks is a significant challenge. This review synthesises current understanding of ethical decision-making frameworks for autonomous vehicles. It examines the ethical questions raised by autonomous driving, the principal approaches to ethical decision-making, including rule-based, consequentialist and hybrid or learning-based frameworks, and the challenges of accountability, transparency and societal acceptance. The literature indicates that autonomous vehicles may face situations involving unavoidable harm and competing interests, that different ethical frameworks offer different and sometimes conflicting guidance, and that hybrid approaches and broader principles of safety and responsibility are increasingly emphasised over narrow dilemma-based reasoning. The review highlights the importance of safety, transparency, accountability and public engagement. It concludes that ethical decision-making is a central challenge for autonomous vehicles, and identifies the need for continued research, clear governance and societal dialogue.

KEYWORDS: Autonomous Vehicles, Ethical Decision-Making, Artificial Intelligence Ethics, Self-Driving Cars, Accountability, Safety, Moral Frameworks, Transparency