Robotics Reference
In-Depth Information
Few people are allergic to kumquats, so this unfortunate and un-
intended outcome would not be considered reasonably predictable,
nor would the persuader [in this case the waiter] be held responsible
for the outcome. However, if this were a common allergy and the
ensuing reaction thus reasonably predictable, the persuader would
have to be called to account. A corollary of this argument is that
the designers of persuasive technologies should be held responsible
only for reasonably predictable outcomes. [25]
Should We Create Self-Reproducing Intelligent Robots?
There is a huge difference between the creation of plain, ordinary, vanilla-
flavoured robots and the creation of self-reproducing intelligent robots.
The key to the difference lies in the possibility that self-reproducing ro-
bots might, eventually, outnumber us, or at the very least exist in such
numbers that they could, if they wished, take control of our planet. Sci-
ence fiction? Not at all. Read on. Questions that remain unanswered
will hopefully prove stimulating to the reader.
The creation of conscious robots raises ethical questions similar to
some of the concerns that relate to human genetic engineering, a tech-
nology that can manipulate human genes, changing human characteris-
tics to suit our own designs. Some of these ethical reservations pertain to
the prospect of employing genetic engineering technology to satisfy some
sort of world master plan or ideal, an absolutely horrifying thought that
carries echoes of the Third Reich. Humankind must somehow ensure
that in creating large numbers of conscious robots, we avoid all possi-
bility of creating a “master race”. There are also other risks, highlighted
by Susan Blackmore, if our intelligent robots turn out to be not as ex-
pected, risks that she points out are based partly on our lack of the moral
objectivity, the God-like perspective, required for making potentially ir-
reversible decisions about the creation of robot life.
What if they turn out to have defects or disabilities or deformities
that cause them tremendous physical or psychological suffering or
both? What if, by mistake, what we produce are aggressive, violent
beings who turn against us or take us over? It could even be the case
that these different creatures are discriminated against and rejected
by society and there is a social and political upheaval.
And who can be entrusted with the decisions about what sorts of
robots there should be? Imposed centralised decisions could be
seen as giving rise to the danger of situations not unlike the
Brave
