La differenza fondamentale by Luciano Floridi

This review examines La Differenza Fondamentale by Luciano Floridi, highlighting its philosophical analysis of artificial intelligence through the lens of the philosophy of information. The volume argues that, although AI systems can be regarded as agents on the basis of interactivity, autonomy, and adaptability, their agency remains fundamentally distinct from human agency because it lacks intentionality, consciousness, and the capacity for self-determined purposes. Building on this distinction, Floridi explores the ethical, political, and societal implications of AI, advocating for governance frameworks grounded in human values and public ethics. The book also addresses the material dimension of digital technologies, the environmental and geopolitical implications of AI infrastructures, and emerging challenges such as machine unlearning, hyperpersuasion, and proxy culture. By combining conceptual rigor with discussions of contemporary applications, the volume provides a balanced and human-centered framework for understanding artificial intelligence, emphasizing that the critical challenge lies not in AI itself but in the ways humans design, govern, and deploy these technologies.