Singular ➝ Roboethic
Also known as Robot ethics
Noun
- the area of study where roboticists, philosophers and engineers debate the ethical, social, humanitarian and ecological aspects of robotics
Synonyms
Ethical robotics, Machine ethics, AI ethics
Antonyms
Unethical robotics, unethical AI
Etymology
Robo(t) + ethics
The term was first coined by Professor Gianmarco Veruggio in 2002.
In January 2004, in collaboration with the School of Robotics, the Arts Lab of the High School Sant’Anna in Pisa (Italy) organised the First International Symposium on Roboethics .
Philosophers, jurists, sociologists, anthropologists and moralists, together with robot scientists, from Europe, Japan and the United States gathered in Sanremo, to help lay the foundations of an ethics in the design and use of robots, before which the word Roboethics did not exist.
Pronunciation
/ˌroʊboʊˈɛθɪks/
roh-boh-eth-iks
Related terms
Robot – Robotics – Automation – Moral machines – Technoethics – Robot laws – Robot-human interaction
Quotations and Historical References
“Roboethics is a call to arms, not to abandon the development of robotics but to embrace it in a way that promotes the common good, respects human dignity, and safeguards our planet.”
Pope Francis
“The development of autonomous weapons systems raises fundamental questions about whether machines should be given the power to take a human life.”
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres
“Roboethics can be seen as an extension of machine ethics, which is concerned with the moral behavior of artificial moral agents.”
Patrick Lin, Director of the Ethics + Emerging Sciences Group at California Polytechnic State University
Fields of Application
Roboethics is applicable in a wide range of fields including:
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Military and defense
- Agriculture
- Transportation
- Education
- Entertainment
Example Sentences
The team of engineers working on the new medical robot is also consulting with experts in roboethics to ensure its safe and ethical use in healthcare.
The use of autonomous weapons systems is a hotly debated topic in the field of roboethics.
As the use of robots in agriculture continues to grow, it is important to consider the ethical implications and potential impact on farm workers.
Curiosities
The first international conference on roboethics was held in Genoa, Italy in 2004.
Roboethics is to robotics what medical ethics is to medicine.
The film “Blade Runner” explores themes of roboethics and the relationship between humans and replicants, which are advanced robots that are virtually identical to humans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do robots pose a threat?
It depends, read about dark side
Will robots steal our jobs?
Briefly no, better to explore here.
What is the importance of roboethics?
Roboethics ensures that robots are developed and used in an ethical and responsible way that benefits humanity and the environment.
What are some of the ethical issues in robotics?
Ethical issues in robotics include data privacy, robot-human interaction, autonomous weapons, job displacement, and the impact on the environment.
Who is responsible for ensuring ethical use of robots?
Responsibility for ensuring ethical use of robots falls on a range of stakeholders including designers, developers, policymakers, and end-users.
