Redefining AI Rationality

Abstract

This paper recontextualized AI rationality through the lens of bounded rationality and media studies, arguing that AI’s influence could extend well beyond algorithmic computations to reshape societal norms and communication processes. We examined how the transition from a purely utilitarian model of rationality to one constrained by data availability, computational limitations, and potential biases could impact both ethical considerations and practical outcomes. By framing AI as a mediator of human experience, our analysis revealed how inherent design choices could inadvertently perpetuate cultural or systemic biases. Drawing on philosophical perspectives and media theory, this study suggests that a more nuanced, context-aware model of bounded rationality can better guide AI systems toward responsible and inclusive decision-making. This paper concludes with recommendations for interdisciplinary collaborations—spanning ethics, engineering, and policy—to ensure that AI’s development and deployment are aligned with human values, cultural diversity, and practical realities of real-world constraints.