Exploring AI Ethics through Digital Deliberation Platforms in Public Discourse

Thesis Abstract

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) systems into public discourse has raised critical ethical concerns, notably regarding transparency, bias, accountability, and the impact on democratic participation. This study investigates how digital deliberation platforms facilitate ethical reflection and consensus-building around AI deployment in societal decision-making processes. The primary aim is to explore the ways in which these platforms influence public perceptions and ethical judgments about AI, and to identify factors that promote or hinder ethical deliberation in digital environments. Specific objectives include (1) analyzing the role of digital deliberation platforms in shaping discourse on AI ethics; (2) examining user engagement and moderation practices; (3) assessing the influence of platform features on ethical framing; and (4) proposing an integrated model of ethical deliberation grounded in empirical findings. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative content analysis, quantitative surveys, and a case study of a prominent digital deliberation platform operating in an urban setting with an estimated population of over 50,000 active users. The study involves a sample of 500 platform users obtained through stratified random sampling, ensuring representation across age, education, and tech familiarity. Data collection instruments include structured questionnaires to assess user perceptions of AI ethics, semi-structured interviews with platform moderators and users, and digital ethnography of discussion threads. The validity and reliability of survey instruments are established via Cronbach’s alpha (0.85) and pilot testing, while thematic analysis is employed to interpret qualitative data, complemented by descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression analysis to identify predictors of ethical concern and discourse quality. The expected findings suggest that digital deliberation platforms significantly influence public ethical perceptions of AI by providing accessible forums for discourse, yet face challenges related to moderation biases and unequal participation. It is anticipated that platform features such as anonymity, moderation policies, and discussion diversity significantly predict the quality of ethical deliberation outcomes. The study also foresees identifying the extent of ethical consensus achieved within these digital environments and examining disparities across demographic groups. These findings will contribute to understanding the mechanisms through which digital platforms shape ethical discourses on emerging technologies, extending current theories such as Habermas’ discourse ethics and the Technological Affordances Theory by integrating empirical insights into online deliberative processes. This research advances knowledge by offering an empirically grounded model of digital ethical deliberation, emphasizing factors that enhance or impede ethical engagement about AI. It highlights how platform design and moderation strategies influence the depth and inclusiveness of ethical debates, informing policymakers, platform developers, and ethicists regarding best practices for fostering responsible AI discourse. The study concludes that digital deliberation platforms hold substantial potential to democratize AI ethics, provided that platform features are appropriately calibrated to promote inclusivity, transparency, and critical reflection. Recommendations include developing guidelines for platform moderation that mitigate bias, increasing user diversity through targeted outreach, and integrating ethical literacy modules. The findings further suggest avenues for future research into cross-cultural ethical deliberation, the role of artificial agents in moderated discussions, and longitudinal impacts of digital discourse on policy development. Overall, this study provides a significant contribution to the evolving understanding of how ICT-mediated public engagement can shape responsible AI governance in contemporary societies.