AIF Insights No. 21 (2025) | Anattā and the Myth of AI Autonomy: Towards a Processual and Relational Ethic for Artificial Intelligence

This chapter interrogates the prevalent notion of AI autonomy through the lens of Theravāda Buddhist philosophy, particularly the doctrine of anattā (non-self) and the analytical framework of the pañcakkhandhā (five aggregates). It critiques the anthropomorphic portrayal of AI as independent, self-sustaining agents, arguing instead that both human beings and artificial systems are best understood as conditioned, processual constructs. By deconstructing the illusion of AI autonomy, the chapter exposes the ethical dangers of misattributed agency, including the deflection of human accountability and the fostering of misplaced trust. It advocates for a more philosophically coherent and ethically responsible approach to AI development, grounded in transparency, explicit responsibility, epistemic humility, and relational ethics. The Theravāda perspective, with its emphasis on cognitive interdependence and ethical intentionality, offers a powerful corrective to dominant technological narratives and complements broader Buddhist contributions to the field of AI ethics.