As artificial intelligence and robots become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, a groundbreaking new handbook explores the intricate web of legal, ethical, and policy challenges that arise when machines become social entities rather than mere tools.
Published in Cambridge University Press | Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
The Cambridge Handbook of the Law, Policy, and Regulation for Human-Robot Interaction, released in November 2024, marks a significant milestone as the first comprehensive book focusing specifically on the legal and regulatory landscape of human-robot interaction. This timely publication brings together insights from social sciences, computer science, and engineering to address the complex challenges of our AI-enabled future.
“Humanities are crucial to AI development,” says co-editor Yueh-Hsuan Weng, Associate Professor at Kyushu University’s Institute for Advanced Study and Tohoku University’s Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences. “Tech professionals can create cutting-edge systems, but without input from legal and humanities perspectives, these systems may struggle to coexist with humans.”
The handbook’s 46 chapters, organized into four sections, explore everything from trust in robots to the possibility of granting AI entities legal personhood. A key focus is the “AI pacing problem” – the growing gap between rapid technological advancement and slower legislative responses. The book examines various governance approaches, from strict legislation to flexible ethical guidelines.
One fascinating aspect the handbook addresses is how robots are challenging traditional ethical expectations. For instance, as robots perform increasingly human-like actions, such as robot dogs dancing jazz, they may reshape how future generations understand concepts like “dogs.” The book also delves into sensitive areas like healthcare, where elderly individuals might view robotic caregivers as true companions, raising complex emotional and ethical considerations.
The international team of editors, including Woodrow Barfield, Yueh-Hsuan Weng, and Ugo Pagallo, has assembled diverse global perspectives and case studies, creating a comprehensive resource for navigating the future of human-robot interaction.
Glossary
- Anthropomorphism: The attribution of human characteristics or behaviors to non-human entities, such as robots
- AI Pacing Problem: The gap between rapid AI technological advancement and the slower development of corresponding laws and regulations
- Soft Governance: Flexible guidelines and ethical principles, as opposed to strict legal requirements, for managing AI development and implementation
Test Your Knowledge
What is unique about this handbook in the field of human-robot interaction?
It is the first book to specifically focus on law, policy, and regulation in human-robot interaction.
How many chapters does the handbook contain, and how is it organized?
The handbook contains 46 chapters organized into four main sections covering different aspects of human-robot interaction.
What is the “AI pacing problem” discussed in the handbook?
It refers to the gap between the rapid pace of AI advancement and the slower development of corresponding legislation and regulations.
How does the handbook address cultural differences in AI governance?
The handbook includes authors from various countries and presents global case studies to explore how AI’s value judgments must align with different cultural value systems and regional contexts.
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