Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question.
Passage:
Title: "The Ethical Dilemma of Autonomous Vehicles"
In the realm of transportation, a technological revolution is underway with the advent of autonomous vehicles. These self-driving cars promise increased safety, efficiency, and convenience. However, they also introduce a profound ethical dilemma.
Consider the following scenario: a self-driving car approaches an intersection, and a sudden mechanical failure occurs. The vehicle must make a split-second decision to avoid a collision. The options are stark: swerve and potentially endanger pedestrians on the sidewalk, or stay the course and risk harm to the passengers inside the car.
This scenario encapsulates the heart of the ethical debate surrounding autonomous vehicles. The car's decision-making algorithm must be programmed with predefined priorities. Should it prioritise the safety of passengers above all else, potentially leading to harm for others? Or should it prioritise minimising harm to all parties involved, even if it means placing passengers in danger?
Furthermore, questions of liability arise. In the event of an accident, who bears responsibility—the passenger, the car's manufacturer, or the developers of the autonomous system?
Addressing these ethical dilemmas requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving ethicists, engineers, policymakers, and society at large. Striking a balance between technological advancement and ethical considerations is paramount for the responsible integration of autonomous vehicles into our transportation systems.
What is the main theme of the passage?
The advent of autonomous vehicles and their benefits
The ethical dilemmas posed by autonomous vehicle technology
The potential for increased safety in self-driving cars
The programming of decision-making algorithms in autonomous vehicles
The main theme of the passage revolves around the ethical dilemmas introduced by autonomous vehicles.