laws of robotics

Page numbers are for draft copy at present; they will be replaced with correct numbers when final book is formatted. Chapter numbers are correct and will not change now.

The science fiction author Issac Asimov developed three 'laws of robotics', which have been inlfuential in subsequent discussions of abstract AI ethics Asimov explores the laws in the collection "I, Robot", in particular how these simple laws have unexpected consequences. The laws are as follows, with the earlier laws taking precedenc over later ones.

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 the 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.

In later works Asimov introduced a 'zeroth law': "A robot may not injure humanity or, through inaction, allow humanity to come to harm.", with yet more complex consequences!

Used on Chap. 15: page 344; Chap. 23: page 563

Also known as law of robotics, three laws of robotics