Roboticist and artist Alexander Reben from the University of Berkley, California created a robot that can decide whether or not to inflict pain. The robot nicknamed "The First Law" is capable of pricking a finger but can choose not to if it can detect it will be switched off.
'The First Law'
BBC reported on a robot nicknamed "The First Law," which can amazingly decide whether to inflict pain or not. The name was inspired by a set of rules devised by sci-fi author Isaac Asimov.
The set of rules were said to be from the Handbook of Robotics, 2058 AD, which states that a robot may not injure a human being or allow human being come to harm through inaction, Wired supplemented.
The creation of "The First Law" is a catalyst for debate about artificial intelligence (AI). Reben said that he is concerned that AI may be getting out of hand. He hopes that it would further debate the consequences of AI.
"[The tech giants] are saying it's way out there, but let's think about it now before it's too late. I am proving that [harmful robots] can exist now. We absolutely have to confront it," Reben was quoted saying.
This robot intentionally hurts people--and makes them bleed: https://t.co/NxCcNgYcE7 pic.twitter.com/mghmcjoUO9
— Fast Company (@FastCompany) June 12, 2016
Harmful Robots To Spark Debate
Reben's research paper explains how robots can unpredictably behave optimally all the time. Mirror quoted Reben saying that "The First Law" can make decisions that he, even the creator, cannot predict, prompting ethical questions about its very creation.
Reben calls into question the "Three Laws" created by Asimov in 1942, which "The First Law" states that it cannot allow harm to human . By Reben's very own robot, the law is being questioned.
Just last week, scientists from Google's AI division "Deep Mind" and Oxford University were reported to be working on an AI "kill switch" that can immobilize a robot when the situation calls for it. However, Reben said it's not that simple as that.
Reben said that harmful robots may learn to disable the "kill switch" later on. This could breed undesirable outcome.
What do you think about AI? Do you agree with Alexander Reben? Let us know through your comments below. Meanwhile, check out "The First Law" in this video:
