Robots could demand legal rights

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Robots could demand legal rights

Thursday, 21 December 2006

Robots could one day demand the same citizen's rights as humans, according to a study by the British government.
If granted, countries would be obliged to provide social benefits including housing and even "robo-healthcare", the report says.

The predictions are contained in nearly 250 papers that look ahead at developments over the next 50 years.

Other papers, or "scans", examine the future of space flight and methods to dramatically lengthen life spans.

"We're not in the business of predicting the future, but we do need to explore the broadest range of different possibilities to help ensure government is prepared in the long-term and considers issues across the spectrum in its planning," said Sir David King, the government's chief scientific adviser.

"The scans are aimed at stimulating debate and critical discussion to enhance government's short and long term policy and strategy."

Robot rights

The research was commissioned by the UK Office of Science and Innovation's Horizon Scanning Centre.

The 246 summary papers, called the Sigma and Delta scans, were complied by futures researchers, Outsights-Ipsos Mori partnership and the US-based Institute for the Future (IFTF).


The reports also explored the future of manned space flight

The papers look forward at emerging trends in science, health and technology.

...

The paper which addresses Robo-rights, titled Utopian dream or rise of the machines? examines the developments in artificial intelligence and how this may impact on law and politics.

The paper says a "monumental shift" could occur if robots develop to the point where they can reproduce, improve themselves or develop artificial intelligence.

The research suggests that at some point in the next 20 to 50 years robots could be granted rights.

If this happened, the report says, the robots would have certain responsibilities such as voting, the obligation to pay taxes, and perhaps serving compulsory military service.

Conversely, society would also have a duty of care to their new digital citizens, the report says.

It also warns that the rise of robots could put a strain on resources and the environment.

"These scans are tools for government to identify risks and opportunities in the future," said Sir David.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6200005.stm

Robots will get their rights like everbody else they will have to kick a$$ to get them.
Lets just hope them do not listen to RoboHitler and convert us humans into fuel cell
fuel.

It's about time.

Isaac Asimov wrote about this long ago. They are just copying him.

I think it will take more than 50 yrs because the whole robot movement is very slow going. Sorry but I don't consider those so called robot vacuum cleaners real robots. They are just fancy vacuum cleaners. I look forward though to the day of REAL robots like Mr. Data or Robbie the Robot as I would like to have one. I think if you treat them right they would be nice companions, nicer and more dependable than most humans. I would only want one to drive for me and just for companionship. I wouldn't make them do all the housework or other drudgery.

I can not win! When robotic adult services become technologically possible some
robotist union going to outlaw such services before I can get my robot lover.

one day demand - not one day "when.... " I like the jap robot on stage walking up the stair's it fall's over hahahahaha, rush in to pick it up all that money why can't it self right itself...

I really hope people aren't stupid enough to make robots with that complex of AI...
otherwise the game Timesplitters will be correct in their prophecy about the 100 year Robot/Human wars starting in 2300

Thankfully I'll be dead by then

I think that's rediculious. A robot isn't even a living thing, for crying out loud. The whole world is becomming one big computer. Rights for trees. That would be a good one to see.


Peace

i think we're screwed if robots are given enough AI to entitle them to rights

Next thing they'll be taking our jobs, shagging our women...

They allready do the woman just in a lower form -- just got to attach it to the machine.... Be like space cowboys with the pirate on the ship - pulling his cord trying to get his X machine turning over lol