Scientist calls for ethics rules for machines
A British scientist is calling for immediate introduction of robot
ethics guidelines amid surging use of the machines and concern about
their lack of human responsibility while caring for children or the
elderly.
In an article published recently in the US journal Science, Noel
Sharkey, a professor of artificial intelligence and robotics at the
University of Sheffield, argues that the steady increase in the use of
robots in day-to-day life poses unanticipated risks and ethical
problems.
Outside of military applications, Sharkey worries how robots and
particularly the people who control them will be held accountable when
the machines work with "the vulnerable," namely children and the
elderly, stressing that there are already robotic machines in wide use
such as the Japanese meal assistance robot 'My Spoon.'
Robots could also soon be entrusted by parents to guard and monitor
their children, replacing a flesh-and-blood nanny but posing potential
problems in long-term exposure to the machines.
"There are already at least 14 companies in Japan and South Korea
that have developed child care robots," according to Sharkey. "The
question here is, will this lead to neglect and social exclusion?"
He said short-term exposure "can provide an enjoyable and
entertaining experience that creates interest and curiosity."
But "we do not know what the psychological impact will be for
children to be left for long hours in the care of robots," he told AFP.
Experiments conducted on monkeys suggest there is reason for concern,
Sharkey said. Young monkeys left in the care of robots "became unable to
deal with other monkeys and to breed," he said.
With prices plunging by 80 percent since 1990, consumer sales of
robots have surged in the 21st century, reaching nearly 5.5 million in
2008, and are expected to double to 11.5 million in the next two years.
"They are set to enter our lives in unprecedented numbers," said
Sharkey, expressing fear that an absence of ethical rules fixed by
international bodies could mean the machines' control will be left to
militaries, the robot industry and busy parents.
The scientist also points to the remarks of Microsoft founder Bill
Gates, who he said predicted that "over the next few years robots may be
a pervasive as the PC," or personal computer.
"We were caught off guard by the sudden increase in Internet use and
it would not be a good idea to let that happen with robots," Sharkey
said.
"It is best if we set up some ethical guidelines now before the mass
deployment of robots rather than wait until they are in common use."
He said it was vital that action be taken on an international level
as soon as possible, "rather than let the guidelines set themselves."
For Sharkey, who has studied robotics for 30 years, such standards
are compatible with the rise of robots, of which he is an enthusiastic
defender. He stressed the benefits that robots can bring "to dangerous
work and medicine."
WASHINGTON, Dec 18, 2008 (AFP) |