Innovation and Balance of Legal Regulation and Ethical Governance in Autonomous Driving in China

The life conflict represents a paradigmatic ethical dilemma in the application of autonomous driving powered by artificial intelligence, where the right to life of passengers in the vehicle collides violently with that of pedestrians outside. In these contexts, can artificial intelligence replace humans in making choices to protect passengers or prioritize passengers at the expense of pedestrians? As autonomous vehicles become increasingly widespread, the life-or-death dilemma demands clearer normative resolution. This is a central issue in legal governance and the foundational principle guiding the development of industry for public. This paper explores whether artificial intelligence can replace human decision-making and the boundaries of such decisions, addressing ethical challenges in autonomous driving through legal frameworks to advance the progress of industry.