The rights of robots - AOL News

The rights of robots - AOL News


Home | Email | AIM | Help | Make AOL My Homepage Join AOL Sign In JacobthanniGet HelpAOL Wednesday, 25 April 2007
NewsWeb|


Will humans ever trust autonomous robots?
- Search: Robot rights
- Comment on the blog


In a recent study it was claimed that robots could, within the next 20 to 50 years, demand the same citizen's rights as humans including social benefits such as housing and even "robo-healthcare".

It was commissioned by the UK Office of Science and Innovation's Horizon Scanning Centre and entitled "Utopian dream or rise of the machines?". Scientists were speaking ahead of a public debate at the Dana Centre, part of London's Science Museum.

The predictions are contained in nearly 250 papers that look ahead at developments over the next 50 years.

"We're not in the business of predicting the future, but we do need to explore the broadest range of different possibilities to help ensure government is prepared in the long-term and considers issues across the spectrum in its planning," said Sir David King, the government's chief scientific adviser.

"The scans are aimed at stimulating debate and critical discussion to enhance government's short and long term policy and strategy."

The paper which addresses Robo-rights, examines the developments in artificial intelligence and how this may impact on law and politics. The paper says a "monumental shift" could occur if robots develop to the point where they can reproduce, improve themselves or develop artificial intelligence.

The research suggests that at some point in the next 50 years robots could be granted rights. If this happened, the report says, the robots would have certain responsibilities such as voting, the obligation to pay taxes, and perhaps serving compulsory military service.

Conversely, society would also have a duty of care to their new digital citizens, the report says. It also warns that the rise of robots could put a strain on resources and the environment.

The development and eventual deployment of autonomous robots raised difficult questions, said Professor Alan Winfield of the University of West England.

"If an autonomous robot kills someone, whose fault is it?

"Right now, that's not an issue because the responsibility lies with the designer or operator of that robot; but as robots become more autonomous that line or responsibility becomes blurred."

"I think that concerns about robot rights are just a distraction,

"The more pressing and serious problem is the extent to which society is prepared to trust autonomous robots and entrust others into the care of autonomous robots."


© AOL (UK) Limited its affiliates and licensors