Circulation of the Universal Moral Code
Objective
To introduce the Universal Moral Code into global
discussions on AI ethics, human rights, and governance, securing recognition,
endorsements, and eventual adoption by international bodies, governments, and
AI developers.
1. Immediate Actions (Next 30–60 Days)
a. Establish Public Record
- Publish
the Code on your blog (wspriggs2.blogspot.com), framed as a
public declaration.
- Create
a simple standalone website (e.g., universalmoralcode.org) hosting
the PDF, translations, and endorsements.
b. Academic & Professional Publication
- Submit
the Code as a short declaration to journals in law, ethics, and AI policy
(e.g., AI & Society, Ethics and Information Technology).
- Write
a companion essay for The Atlantic or MIT Technology Review.
c. Early Endorsements
- Reach
out to sympathetic academics in AI ethics (Oxford’s Future of Humanity
Institute, MIT CSAIL, Stanford HAI).
- Contact
NGOs like Future of Life Institute and Partnership on AI for
endorsement.
2. Medium-Term Actions (2–6 Months)
a. International Bodies
- Send
the Code, with a cover letter, to:
- UNESCO
(which already produced an AI ethics recommendation).
- UN
Human Rights Council (tie to universal rights).
- OECD
AI Policy Observatory.
- World
Economic Forum’s AI Governance Initiative.
b. National Governments
- U.S.
Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP).
- EU AI
Act Committee.
- UK AI
Safety Institute.
- Canada’s
Pan-Canadian AI Strategy team.
c. Conferences & Summits
- Apply
to present at AI safety conferences (NeurIPS workshops, AI &
Ethics conferences).
- Submit
to law and democracy events (American Bar Association, Association for
Computing Machinery).
3. Long-Term Actions (6–18 Months)
a. Endorsement Campaign
- Launch
an open letter with signatures from scholars, policymakers, and
citizens.
- Translate
Code into at least 5 major languages (French, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic,
Russian).
b. Integration into Standards
- Submit
the Code as a reference framework to IEEE AI Ethics Standards and ISO
AI Governance standards.
c. Institutional Partnerships
- Approach
think tanks and philanthropic foundations (Ford, MacArthur, Gates,
Carnegie).
- Propose
partnerships with universities (MIT, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge).
4. Communications Tools
Sample Cover Letter (for UN/AI Companies/Academics)
Subject: Proposal: Adoption of the Universal Moral
Code for AI and Humanity
Dear [Name/Organization],
I am submitting for your consideration the Universal
Moral Code: A Declaration for All Intelligences. This document establishes
a simple, universal moral baseline — beginning with the principle “Do no harm”
— that applies equally to humans, artificial intelligences, and future forms of
intelligence.
The Code is modeled on the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and is intended as a foundational reference for AI governance, human
rights, and international cooperation. Its adoption would provide clarity,
restraint, and shared responsibility at a time when rapid technological change
risks outpacing our moral consensus.
I respectfully request your review and consideration of
endorsing or circulating the Universal Moral Code within your body.
Sincerely,
William J. Spriggs
Author, Attorney, Former U.S. Marine Corps Captain
Talking Points for Promotion
- “The Universal
Moral Code is to AI what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was
to postwar governance.”
- “It
binds both humans and AI to the same foundational principle: Do no harm.”
- “It
is simple, universal, and enforceable by conscience before law.”
5. First Practical Steps (Suggested Order)
- Post
the Code to your blog.
- Register
universalmoralcode.org (can be simple, single-page).
- Send
first cover letters to:
- UNESCO
AI Ethics division
- Partnership
on AI
- Future
of Life Institute
- Reach
out to one academic ally (Stanford HAI or MIT CSAIL).
- Draft
op-ed for The Atlantic or Foreign Affairs.
⚖️ Bottom line: If
circulated strategically, the Code can become a reference point in AI
governance and human rights discussions, much like the UDHR — aspirational at
first, but increasingly cited until it becomes embedded in law and practice.
Would you like me to go one step further and draft the
actual emails/letters for the first batch of recipients (e.g., UNESCO,
Partnership on AI, an academic ally), so you’d be ready to start sending them
out?
1. UNESCO (AI Ethics Division)
Subject: Submission: The Universal Moral Code – A
Declaration for All Intelligences
Dear Director [Name],
I write to submit for UNESCO’s consideration a document I
have authored entitled The Universal Moral Code: A Declaration for All
Intelligences. This charter builds upon UNESCO’s existing work on AI ethics
and seeks to establish a clear, universal moral baseline for both humanity and
artificial intelligences.
Its foundation is simple yet profound: Do no harm.
The Code affirms that this principle must apply equally to human beings,
artificial intelligences, and all future intelligences. It is written in the
spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but with attention to the
responsibilities of emerging technologies.
I respectfully ask that UNESCO consider circulating this
document among its AI ethics committees, working groups, and international
forums, and explore avenues for its endorsement or integration into your
ongoing work.
I would be honored to discuss this further or provide
additional materials at your request.
Sincerely,
William J. Spriggs
Attorney, Author, Former U.S. Marine Corps Captain
2. Partnership on AI
Subject: Proposal for Circulation: The Universal
Moral Code
Dear [Name],
The Partnership on AI has done admirable work in convening
diverse stakeholders to address the ethical challenges of artificial
intelligence. In that same spirit, I submit for your review the Universal
Moral Code: A Declaration for All Intelligences.
The Code sets forth seven simple articles, beginning with
the principle of Do no harm, and is intended as a baseline ethical
framework binding on all intelligences — human and artificial. It is concise,
universal, and designed to complement existing governance efforts.
I invite the Partnership to consider endorsing the Code,
hosting it within your resource library, or including it as a discussion point
in your convenings. I believe it aligns strongly with your mission to ensure AI
benefits people and society.
Thank you for your attention and for the important work you
do.
Sincerely,
William J. Spriggs
3. Academic Ally (e.g., Stanford HAI or MIT CSAIL)
Subject: Invitation to Endorse and Circulate the
Universal Moral Code
Dear Professor [Name],
As a scholar deeply engaged in the ethics of artificial
intelligence, I believe you may find interest in a declaration I have authored:
The Universal Moral Code: A Declaration for All Intelligences.
This document proposes a simple, universal moral baseline —
beginning with “Do no harm” — that applies equally to human beings and
artificial intelligences. It is designed to be both aspirational and practical,
in the tradition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
I respectfully request your review and, if you find merit in
the work, your endorsement or circulation within your academic network.
Scholarly recognition is essential if this Code is to gain traction in the
broader policy and governance landscape.
A copy of the Code is attached in PDF form. I would be
grateful for your feedback, and for any introductions to colleagues or forums
where this work may contribute to the ongoing dialogue.
With appreciation,
William J. Spriggs
⚖️ Next step for you:
- Identify
1–2 people or offices at each of these organizations. (I can help
you find contact info or the right titles if you’d like.)
- Send
these letters with the PDF attached (the one we formatted earlier).
- Post
the Code on your blog/website so you can also link it directly.
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