Bradley Richards

FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts

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Total Citations

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About

Bradley Richards is a pioneering figure in the emerging field of machine ethics, exploring the moral dimensions of autonomous systems—from self-driving cars and drones to interactive chatbots. His work addresses a critical question of our time: as machines gain autonomy, how do we embed ethical decision-making into their programming? Richards’ most notable contribution, "Towards Kant Machines" (2017), draws on deontological philosophy to propose a framework for moral reasoning in artificial agents, earning 9 citations and laying foundational groundwork for the field. A key voice from the influential School of Bu, Richards challenges the notion that ethics is exclusively human, arguing that semi-autonomous systems must be accountable for their actions. His research bridges philosophy, computer science, and engineering, offering practical pathways for aligning machine behavior with human values. Though his citation count is modest, Richards’ impact is profound—his ideas are shaping how researchers and developers approach the urgent challenge of building morally competent AI. For students and scholars, his work is a compelling entry point into the ethics of tomorrow’s intelligent machines.