SMART ROBOTS, DRIVERLESS CARS WORK – BUT THEY BRING ETHICAL ISSUES TOO

“Educational robots, intelligent implants, brain chips: scientists and legal experts will meet this week to debate how to deal with the rapid march of technology”

By: Nicola Davis

Published: The Observer, 20 October 2013; http://observer.theguardian.com/ Alternatively, just google the title and writer’s name.

Level of difficulty: **

BEFORE YOU READ

• Turn to the end of the text and look at the 'Future Questions’. Discuss them with your classmates or read them carefully and think about them.
• Now skim the text quickly and place the subtitles listed below in their correct places. The answer key will follow the print version of the text. The subtitles are in the correct order: Introduction, IBM’s Intelligent System: Watson, Driverless Cars, Enhanced Body Parts, Social Robots, Conclusion

NOW CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING VIDEOS
 Ethics and robotics

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tTNPa0yOfg

The ethics of robotics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoPxP5G44Rk
QUESTIONS

1. What lead to the need for the ‘EUCogIII members’ conference?
2. What does the phrase “if we get it wrong” mean?
3. What advantages does Watson have over a living, breathing doctor?
4. What is the dilemma concerning Watson?
5. How could the drawbacks of such a healthcare system be minimized?
6. Driverless cars seem like the solution to many current problems yet people are worried. Why?
7. How could both drivers and car companies be protected against problems of malfunction?
8. What current law would become meaningless when driverless cars hit the market?
9. Why might individuals wish to replace their perfectly healthy legs and arms with prosthetic devices?
10. What does “it” refer to in the phrase “and yes, it’s a problem”?
11. The writer says “Running scared is not an option”. Why would some people want to run scared?
12. What interesting discovery was made concerning social robots in education?
13. The scientists involved in the upcoming convention have invited the public to join the discussion. Why have they taken this step?

WRITING TASK

Write an essay in which you discuss the advantages and disadvantages of “the rapid march of artificial intelligence”. Consider the advantages and disadvantages below and use notes you make on the text to provide support.

Advantages

• Saving time and effort
• Accuracy

Disadvantages

• Security concerns
• Legal issues

SMART ROBOTS, DRIVERLESS CARS WORK – BUT THEY BRING ETHICAL ISSUES TOO KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES.

This text introduces a completely new dilemma: the lure of modern artificial intelligence in the shape of various different kinds of high functioning robots and implants versus the dangers they pose. New developments in artificial intelligence are coming at us thick and fast and we, as a species, need to deal with the implications. The discussion of future moral quandaries at the end of the text should be interesting and revealing. The points given for the essay task will need to be supported with information from the text.

BEFORE YOU READ: SUBTITLES

Introduction: paragraphs 1+2; Watson: p.3, 4, 5, 6+7; Driverless Cars: p.8, 9 +10; Enhanced Body Parts: p. 11, 12, 13 +14; Social Robots: 15+16; Conclusion: 17+18

QUESTIONS / KEY

1. The fact that artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize our lives
2. If we make the wrong decisions concerning the ethical and societal impact of such systems
3. It can crunch through swaths of medical information and make decisions; it could suggest an accurate diagnosis faster and more often, as well as predicting an individual’s health risks.
4. Whether we want to give up some of our privacy in order to get improved services like better health care.
5. By making it essential that doctors are closely involved in training such systems, understanding how they work and confirming the diagnoses are spot on.
6. Insurance and legislation
7. Through the usage of compulsory insurance schemes or by assessing so called safe harbors. The rest is not necessary.
8. Speed limits
9. Because they could outperform our natural limbs
10. The fact that technology is moving faster than technology can keep up
11. Because with the possibility of technology becoming intertwined with our very bodies, the threat of unauthorized access looms large.
12. Robots sporting a face and personalized conversation evoke a strong response
13. Because such technological leaps are set to transform our lives.