Evaluating the Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Autonomous Vehicle Decision-Making Systems

1. Introduction 1.1 Background and Context 1.2 Purpose and Objectives 1.3 Structure of the Paper 2. Overview of Autonomous Vehicles 2.1 Definition and Technology 2.2 Evolution and Current Trends 2.3 Key Components and Systems 3. Artificial Intelligence in Decision-Making 3.1 Role and Function of AI 3.2 Decision-Making Models 3.3 Machine Learning Algorithms 4. Ethical Theories and Perspectives 4.1 Utilitarianism in AI Decisions 4.2 Deontological Ethics and AI 4.3 Virtue Ethics in Technology 5. Moral Dilemmas in Autonomous Systems 5.1 The Trolley Problem and Applications 5.2 Stakeholder Implications 5.3 Privacy and Data Concerns 6. Regulatory and Legal Frameworks 6.1 International Regulations 6.2 National Policies and Standards 6.3 Legal Challenges and Cases 7. Public Perception and Societal Impact 7.1 Consumer Trust and Acceptance 7.2 Social Risks and Benefits 7.3 Media Influence and Misinformation 8. Strategies for Ethical Implementation 8.1 Designing Ethical AI Systems 8.2 Collaboration with Regulators 8.3 Future Directions and Recommendations