Eben Moglen: Time To Apply Asimov's First Law of Robotics To Smartphones 305
Sparrowvsrevolution writes "Free software lawyer and activist Eben Moglen plans to give a talk at the Hackers On Planet Earth conference in New York next month on the need to apply Isaac Asimov's laws of robotics to our personal devices like smartphones. Here's a preview: 'In [1960s] science fiction, visionaries perceived that in the middle of the first quarter of the 21st century, we'd be living contemporarily with robots. They were correct. We do. We carry them everywhere we go. They see everything, they're aware of our position, our relationship to other human beings and other robots, they mediate an information stream about us, which allows other people to predict and know our conduct and intentions and capabilities better than we can predict them ourselves. But we grew up imagining that these robots would have, incorporated in their design, a set of principles. We imagined that robots would be designed so that they could never hurt a human being. These robots have no such commitments. These robots hurt us every day. They work for other people. They're designed, built and managed to provide leverage and control to people other than their owners. Unless we retrofit the first law of robotics onto them immediately, we're cooked.'"
First Law? (Score:5, Funny)
I'm still trying to get the Second Law.
Do what the $#! I told you, you stupid !@#$!
Re:Three Laws (Score:5, Funny)
If you apply the first law to my smartphone, it would basically turn itself off and short the battery.
That might be an overall improvement, but I don't think it would be a terribly popular move.
Re:Three Laws (Score:5, Funny)
Rule 1, Sub section 1. Pedantic humans will be shot. With a gun. Until Dead. Be real sure they're dead. Maybe use some other weapons or your incredible robot strength just to be sure. If necessary, nuke them from orbit. Then move on.