In the following passage, some words have been omitted. Read the passage carefully and choose the most appropriate option from the given alternatives to fill in each blank. Mark your answer for each question.
As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily life, debates around its ethical use are growing louder. Machines now make decisions that were once the (1)_____ of human judgment-from recommending medical treatments to scanning resumes. While Al offers speed and efficiency, it lacks moral (2)_____ raising concerns about bias, accountability, and transparency. Critics argue that without strict ethical frameworks, Al could reinforce social inequalities or even make harmful choices with no clear line of (3)_____. Developers face the challenge of embedding values into code-yet whose values should apply? In multicultural societies, defining what is "right" is rarely (4)_____. Some suggest collaborative oversight involving ethicists, technologists, and policymakers. Others warn that regulation must evolve faster than innovation to prevent misuse. In the race to build smarter systems, the real question remains: can we create machines that are not just intelligent, but also (5)_____ ?
What would come in (5)
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The passage focuses on the ethical dilemmas and moral guidance surrounding artificial intelligence. The final sentence presents a contrast: while machines are becoming increasingly "intelligent," the core concern is whether they can also adhere to human moral principles.
The word "ethical" aligns with the passage's recurring themes of "moral instinct," "ethical frameworks," and the challenge of defining "right".
It completes the rhetorical question by emphasizing that intelligence alone is insufficient if the machine lacks a moral foundation.
Other options do not fit in the context:
Controlled: While the passage mentions oversight and regulation, the specific contrast to "intelligent" in this context is about the quality of the decisions (moral vs. logical), not just their restriction.
Obedient: The passage discusses machines making high-level judgments (medical treatments, resumes) rather than simple task execution; being "obedient" does not solve the problem of bias or moral judgment.
Productive: The passage explicitly states that AI already offers "speed and efficiency" (which are markers of productivity); therefore, the missing quality must be something AI currently lacks, which is a moral/ethical framework.