The Ethics of the Right to Informational Self-Determination in the context of Algorithmic Decision-Making (ADM) – A holistic assessment

Algorithmic decision-making (ADM) represents a use case of applied artificial intelligence (AI) with a growing demand in various business scenarios. In this context, algorithms make and execute decisions while impacting individuals’ lives. The present article discusses today’s importance of self-determination in the light of the increasing application of ADM. It further illustrates relevant ethical theories in regard to the concept of self-determination, and further describes risks of discrimination, particularly in the context of ADM. The paper explores how self-determination is reflected in present and future legislation, mainly considering the GDPR and the European AI Act, and assesses possible measures that enable the safeguarding of the concept of self-determination.