Unleashed enthusiasm: ethical reflections on harms, benefits, and animal-centered aims of ACI

Abstract

This paper offers an interdisciplinary approach to ethical questions concerning animal welfare in Animal Computer Interaction (ACI), combining concepts from animal ethics and the empirical foundations of ethology and animal welfare science. First, we reflect on the self-proclaimed ethical positions of ACI, its responsibilities toward human and nonhuman animals, and potential conflicts in practical application. We then explore the central aims of ACI to improve welfare, benefit animals, and improve the human-animal relationship. There are exciting potentials for animals to benefit from ACI; nevertheless, there are some methodological problems given the non-speciesist aspirations of ACI. There is a need for a greater focus on data collection, attention to long-term implications of ACI technology use, assessment of animal time budgets, and careful interpretation of preference tests. Finally, we briefly discuss the opportunity for critical anthropomorphism to strengthen the methodology of ACI.