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Professor Gives Ethics to Robots on the Battlefield

by Leila Brillson on July 2, 2009 at 02:50 PM

The groundwork for robotic morality was laid by science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, who created the 'Three Laws of Robotics.' Taking these ideas to war, Georgia Institute of Technology professor Ron Arkin has tried to establish ethical mores for bots on the battlefield.

Arkin, who used an advanced simulation system called MissionLab to create scenarios based on real-life, tested artificial intelligence's ethics on deciding who, and how, to attack during war-time. His qualifiers are much more detailed than Asimov's, including international law and conservative action. Using the argument that robots do not have an inherent need for self-preservation and don't feel fear (or hysteria), Arkin argues that robots -- when used ethically -- could save lives.

The conscientious droids are supposed to take the entire atmosphere into consideration, determining ways to avoid collateral damage and ascertain appropriate attack locations (it's against international law to engage soldiers in, say, a graveyard). Yet, even Arkin says more research needs to be done, and robots would be best when there is no ethical gray area. Ultimately, he contends, metal and silicon need to be held to the same standards as flesh and bone. [From: CNET]

Tags: AI, ethics, isaac asimov, IsaacAsimov, research, robot, robots, top, war

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