AI - Should they have rights?
Imagine a future where artificial intelligence exists. A future where the mind of a machine can think, imagine, dream and even have a soul. But would we be prepared to accept them as equals or even our superiors?
If we look beyond the human race to other species we see that animals for example have a very limited set of rights. Domestic pets are somewhat protected but if they are dropped off at a shelter they can expect that protection to change dramatically. Wild animals, especially those classified as pests are hunted down and exterminated. So what hope is there for another "species"?
Would creating an artificial intelligence in our own image be too unsettling?
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Looking at some countries in the world we can see that not even humans are treated equally. There are those nations where women's rights have a long way to go until they reach a level of equality. Even in developed nations there are still elements of racism and sexism. If we cannot even develop into a stable tolerant society what hope is there for AI? Look at the following list of rights that most countries allow their citizens.
- The right to vote
- The right to marry
- The right to earn a living
- The right to own items
- The right to govern
Would we be comfortable with giving these rights to AI? The problem is that they are in a rather unique situation. Unlike the human population they could produce a significantly large amount of "children" in very short order. An assembly line for the future where children are programmed not grown. In this scenario it is feasible that AI could eventually outnumber humans.
Hollywood has shown us many scenarios where we are controlled by machines. These ideas were used to great effect in The Matrix, Terminator and Battlestar Galactica. In all of these mankind's downfall came about by inverting artificial intelligence. It is rare to see AI in a benign or friendly role. Is it because it's easy to feed on our fears about technology and the future? How could we put in place limits over what AI could achieve?
Isaac Asimov once formulated the three laws of robotics. What if all AI beings were required to obey these laws?
(1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
(2) A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
(3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Although these laws seem sensible enough there is a fundamental flaw in this approach. If the AI are to be accepted as equals they cannot in anyway be limited by software constraints. To be truly sentient means that one has complete free will. Without that they are no better than your average photocopier.
So what is likely to happen? To answer this ask yourself these questions. Would the majority of the population be happy having a boss at work who was an AI? Would they be happy having a President who was artificial and may put the interests of AI before humans? Would you be happy seeing your son or daughter marry an AI? If you can answer those questions then you know what the future has in store.
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