SOCIAL AND EHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF INTELLIGENT MACHINES

Ismaila B.T. & Wahyudi M.Intelligent Mechatronics Research Group(IMRG),Mechatronics

Engineering Department,IIUM

Introduction.

Developments in IM

Social Implications

Ethical Implications

Precautionary Measures and Recommendations

Conclusion

Presentation Overview

INTRODUCTION Definition:Intelligent machines/robots are referred to as mechanical systems/devices capable of mimic the unique characteristics of human reasoning, and as a result able to assist human being independently/dependently in performing basic tasks of life. How intelligent is intelligent machine remains unresolved among the researchers, Weak AI vs Strong AI as reported in the literatures.

Fact and History:The fact is that scientists have been able to envisioned the possibility of human-like machine capable of not only mimic human been but also replacing man in the execution of basic life activities.

INTRODUCTION :Cont.

Historically, this dream is actively dated back to 1200 and 1800 AD with the Ismail Al-Jazari and Leonardo Da Vinci been the leading pioneers of what is now being referred to as humanoid robots.

The Concerns: Why?

1.The rate of development and achievements in the fields of AI (artificial intelligent) and Mechatronics/Robotics Engineering.

2.Huge resources both human and materials been expended on the actualization of the dream

3.The general interest of the people,(films, games and entertainment)

OBJECTIVES:

To take an overview of the present and envisioned future state of intelligent- human like-machines

To identify the major ethical and social implications.

To identify the challenges and possible precautionary ways that could be engineered to maximize its benefits and minimize its harms.

Consultants and Personal assistanceExpert systems: Medical, Legal,educational,etc

Unmanned Vehicles: - e.g. UACV,Standford RoadrunnerShown at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) 2005 Grand Challenge robot race “…Able to weave through congested city traffic without human help.”

Domestic Robots: for household jobs, Hotel Services etc

DEVELOPMENTS AND APPLICATIONS

DEVELOPMENTS AND APPLICATIONS CONT

Entertainment: dancing and games

From Sexdoll to Sexbot (humanoid) (intelligent robot prostitutes)

Others IM for production and manufacturing processes: car production, painting,

welding etc Driverless Train e.t.c

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS

At HomePositive Negative Brings comfort and relief Lost of basic home-based skills Provide time for family affairs Dependency on machine

Weakened family interactions

At Social and Political LevelPositive: Increase productivity at minimum cost

Improvement in quality of services: at market, transportation

Better and safe sexual enjoyment

Security and Defense

Social Implications Cont.

Negative

Unemployment: especially at middle and lower skills level

Dehumanizing effects of Machine dependency

Social isolation and Fragmentation - self-dependency – egoism

Displacement of human sex workers by sexbot, to do what?

Military Misuse

ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS Machine Responsibility and Machine Right : Punishment and

awards; should man hand over control over their affairs to an AI machines? And by implication, should the AI machines also posses the right and duties of all citizen?

Ethical- decision making: case of incomplete information!; the differences in ethical concepts- the ethical believe of the programmer!

Scenario: a runaway trolley/train amidst two opposing options

Ethical and moral implication of sexbot:

1.“will the robot prostitutes become subject to legal restriction that apply to human sex workers”?

2. Religiously, is it to be view as fornication or adultery?

PREACAUTIONARY MEASURES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Identification and preservation of essential skills at family level- challenges to the parents!!!

Mechanism to address the possible mass displacement of Labors--Challenges to the Government (especially of developing Nations)

E.g.: Redefinition of concept of works and labor categorization to cater for those at middle and lower skills level

Re-evaluation of Educational curriculum at all level to prepare future generations ahead of time.E.g. Mental Preparedness, Creation of personality with Robust characters vis the velocity of change

Integration of ethical values into programming and Teaching of Software Engineering

PREACAUTIONARY MEASURES AND RECOMMENDATIONS Cont.’

Expansion of the fields of ethics to cater fully for Machine ethics and Man-Machine relationships

The Religious Scholars should rise up to provide adequate pro-active responses to some of the aforementioned ethical issues, and the information be made available for public consumption

There should be continuous re-evaluation of the state of development and necessary implications

CONCLUSION Unlike other emerging technologies like nanotechnology,

the road-path towards the emergence of strong AI is full of numerous obstacles and challenges. But the present achievements and ongoing interest in the fields call for a proactive steps in addressing it eventual consequences.

It is clear from the foregoing presentation and the past experiences that we may not be able to prevent a new technology-just like the upcoming age of intelligent machines- from being invented, but as human being we do have control over whether to adopt it or not.

We are in the best position to make an informed decision on how to make, and use the technology to maximize its benefits and minimize its harms.