Technology, Humanity, and Future Ethics

Learning Objectives

• Students should be able to examine human rights in relation to technological ethical dilemmas.
• Students should be able to evaluate contemporary human experience to strengthen human function in society.

Technology, Humanity, and the Future

• The presentation includes a discussion on the potential future of sentient robots within modern society.
• A question is raised about whether society would permit the mass production and sale of such robots.
• Various topics for discussion are presented, including:
  • When Technology and Humanity Cross
  • Why the Future Does Not Need Us

Robots and Artificial Intelligence

• Scientists at the University of Texas are developing AI systems to solve real-world problems, using robotic aides for tasks like finding colleagues or equipment.
• The future appears to include robots with emotions and AI, a scenario not too far-fetched from reality.
• This raises the question of how humans and robots might coexist.

Similarities in Films

• Films like Pinocchio and A.I. feature characters desiring to be human in order to fully belong with their parents.
• Questions arise about the possibility of such wishes coming true in the future and the prospect of a harmonious coexistence between humans and robots.
• Considerations also include the potential need for control mechanisms to ensure the safety of humans.

Isaac Asimov's Laws of Robotics

• Isaac Asimov introduced three laws of robotics in his 1942 short story "Runaround".
• The three laws govern robots' actions and interactions with humans.
• The first law states robots cannot harm humans or, by inaction, allow humans to come to harm.
• The second law requires robots to obey human commands unless they conflict with the first law.
• The third law requires robots to protect themselves as long as this does not conflict with the first two laws.
• Asimov later added a fourth law, the Zeroth Law, for situations in which robots are overseeing planets and human civilizations. This prevents any harm to humans.

Concerns about Technology's Impact

• A 2008 UCLA study revealed that searching the Internet increases brain function.
• Technology use, especially among young people, shows similarities to drug cravings, inducing symptoms of withdrawal when deprived of devices.
• A 2016 study from Ofcom demonstrates that more than half of internet users feel addicted to surfing the web.
• A similar trend was exhibited in a study in 2011, resulting in students experiencing negative emotions, including feelings of being "lost" and "dead" after 24 hours without media.

Question to Ponder on Zeroth Law

• Considering the difference between the Zeroth Law and the First Law of Robotics raises questions about the potential for advanced robots to guarantee the survival of humanity.

Nicolas Carr's Article "Is Google Making Us Stupid?"

• Carr's article discusses how internet use can scatter attention and hinder deep thinking.
• He notes that surfing the Web may lead to a shallower processing of information than reading books, and may cause a diminished ability to focus.
• He uses the example of an astronaut disabling the supercomputer after realizing the latter was misleading the crew about Jupiter's mission as a parallel to humans' struggle to concentrate in a digital environment.

Homework – Reflection Questions

• Students are asked to reflect on how to maintain focus despite technology's distractions in their lives.
• A second question asks whether or not society should halt development of autonomous, sentient robots.

Why the Future Does Not Need Us

• Quotes from Lovejoy's article suggest that pursuing near immortality should be tempered by recognizing the risks of extinction.
• A movie scene depicts a future where advanced Mecha robots have replaced humans, sparking concern that advanced robotics, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology might lead to human extinction.
• A New York Post article from December 2017 underscores concerns about AI's potential to cause great harm to human civilization.

Social Media Addiction

• Questions in a survey probe aspects of social media use, including the level of integration into daily routines, the need for progressively increased social media time, and the reliance on social media for excitement or relaxation.
• Answering yes to three or more questions indicates a potential social media addiction.
• This is considered a serious concern, as studies have linked excessive social media use in teens with untreated mental health issues.