Ethische richtlijnen voor omgang tussen mens - robot in Zuid-Korea
South Korea started to introduce an ethical code to prevent humans abusing robots, and vice versa. It is done by five experts on future, robotics and science fiction. The South Korean government identified robotics as one of the key economic drivers for the future. This is also the reason why they are pumping millions of dollars into research.
The code will probably continu on Asimov's laws of robotics from 1942, the story Runaround .The government plans to set ethical guidelines concerning the roles and functions of robots as robots are expected to develop strong intelligence in the near future," ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy
- A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
- A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
- A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
South Korea also did some research on the future of robotics and some of the predictions are:
- in 2018 medical operations will be carried out by robots;
- Every household will have a robot between 2015 and 2020.
But of course not only South Korea is actively involved in robotics. The UK government did a survey last year towards the future of robotics and predicted that robots will have the same rights as humans. The European Robotic Research Network is also making the first laws for robotics.Imagine if some people treat androids as if the machines were their wives, (Park Hye-Young of the ministry's robot team). Others may get addicted to interacting with them just as many internet users get hooked to the cyberworld.
I absolutely believe in a future with a strong role for robotics. In a few years we can not live without robotics just like our mobile phones. What do you think? For fun and how far we already are in the development see the movie of the dancing robots.In the 21st Century humanity will coexist with the first alien intelligence we have ever come into contact with - robots. It will be an event rich in ethical, social and economic problems.