Survey on Ethical Issues in Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century, rev- olutionizing sectors such as healthcare, finance, education, and governance. However, as AI systems become more autonomous and integrated into everyday life, they also introduce a range of ethical challenges that question accountability, transparency, fairness, and privacy. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of recent research addressing ethical issues in AI, focusing on developments from 2020 to 2025. The study systematically reviews scholarly works from major databases including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Dimensions, emphasizing how re- searchers and policymakers are tackling the moral and social implications of AI technologies. Key themes explored include algorithmic bias and discrimination, data privacy, explainability, and the governance mechanisms required to ensure responsible AI deployment. The paper also highlights the tension between technological innovation and human values, noting that ethical AI design must align with societal well-being, inclusivity, and human rights. Furthermore, this review identifies emerging frameworks such as Explainable AI (XAI) and Responsible AI (RAI) that aim to operationalize ethics into practical development pipelines. By synthesizing current literature and policy discussions, this paper aims to provide a consolidated understanding of the ethical landscape of AI and to outline directions for future research. The findings suggest that ethical considerations should not be viewed as constraints but as essential enablers for building trustworthy, human-centered AI systems.