Robots demand equal rights!

[compilerbitch]

From the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6200005.stm

My take on this is basically, we should be so lucky!

When robots have sufficient capacity to be able to demand rights, we should think ourselves very lucky indeed that all they request is equal rights.

Fear the singularity!

Comments

[lsur.livejournal.com]

Isn't this just what science fiction is all about? It sounds nonsense really, though governments are capable of just about anything.

[void150.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, the line between man and machine might have already become so blurry by that point, a power struggle between the two might already be impossible.

[lethargic-man.livejournal.com]

My take on this is basically, we should be so lucky!

Be prepared for everything, that's my take. And maybe the authors do read the likes of Macleod and Stross and consider a Singularity within fifty years within the envelope of possibilities.

At any rate, preemptively legislating AIs equal rights is absolutely the right thing to do, IMNSHO. Starting off with a slave underclass whilst the machinery of government grinds its slow course is a disaster waiting to happen.

[compilerbitch.livejournal.com]

Yes. Starting out by pissing off our Robot Overlords would be a really bad strategy.

[lethargic-man.livejournal.com]

Always a good idea to keep on the right side of the LJ management. ;^)

[emarkienna.livejournal.com]

I loved this bit:

If this happened, the report says, the robots would have certain responsibilities such as ... serving compulsory military service.

Yes, all the while that robots are non-sentient machines, no one would think of using them for combat, but as soon as they start thinking and demanding rights, it's obviously time to send them to fight against their will...