We explore the evolving philosophical discussion surrounding free will in artificial intelligence (AI), especially with the rise of generative AI. Frank Martela's research is highlighted, suggesting that AI agents like the Voyager in Minecraft meet the traditional criteria for free will: intentional agency, genuine alternatives, and control over actions. This functional view of AI free will carries significant implications, particularly concerning moral responsibility and the ethical programming of AI systems, as autonomous decisions by AI in critical sectors raise questions about accountability beyond their creators. Krausová and Hazan's work further emphasizes the importance of building free will into AI for achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI) that mirrors human cognitive processes, even proposing the use of real random generators for true autonomy.

AI and the Emergence of Free Will

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