From principles to practices: the intertextual interaction between AI ethical and legal discourses
Abstract
The ascendancy and ubiquity of generative AI technology, exemplified by ChatGPT, has resulted in a transformative shift in the conventional human–AI interaction paradigm, leading to substantial alterations in societal modes of production. Drawing on CDA approach, this study conducts a thematic intertextuality analysis of 29 AI ethical documents, and delves into the restructuring of the human–AI relations catalysed by ChatGPT, as well as the complex ethical and legal challenges it presents. The findings indicate that the thematic intertextuality between AI ethical discourse and legal discourse promotes the connection and convergence of narrative-ideological structures, which in turn primarily creates new meaningful texts and ethical frameworks that promote a holistic approach to a good AI society. This research also identifies the importance of integrating law-making efforts with substantive ethical analysis and appropriate discursive strategies to promote the responsible and ethical development of generative AI that benefits society as a whole.
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Audit trails ensure that compliance determinations are traceable and defensible, especially in dispute contexts or cross-jurisdictional licensing negotiations.
“These trails ensure that compliance determinations are traceable and defensible, especially in dispute contexts or cross-jurisdictional licensing negotiations [42].”
From Designing automated audit mechanisms to evaluate compliance of generative AI platforms with federal authorship and ownership disclosure requirements. (2023) · cites this paper as [42]
Many environments will require configurable audit modes, including real-time checks for consumer-facing platforms and batch verification for archival or licensing submissions.
“Many environments will require configurable audit modes, including real-time checks for consumer-facing platforms and batch verification for archival or licensing submissions [42].”
From Designing automated audit mechanisms to evaluate compliance of generative AI platforms with federal authorship and ownership disclosure requirements. (2023) · cites this paper as [42]
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- Authors
- Cheng, L., & Liu, X.
- Affiliations
- Zhejiang University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Cheng, Le
- ORCID
- Venue
- International Journal of Legal Discourse
- Publisher
- Walter de Gruyter GmbH
- Published
- 2023-04-01
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 31-52
- ISSN
- 2364-8821 (ISSN-L)
- 2364-883X
- OpenAlex
- W4376603821
- Cited by
- 51
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 3
- FWCI
- 12.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Legal Discourse (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Ethics and Social Impacts of AI
- Social Sciences › Law › Digitalization, Law, and Regulation
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Artificial Intelligence in Law
- Keywords
- generative AI, ChatGPT, AI ethics, legal discourse, intertextuality, human-AI relationship, critical discourse analysis, AI regulation, ethical frameworks, responsible AI development, ideological discourse
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