Ethical issues with future technologies essay sample

Humanoid Robots

Artificial intelligence has facilitated the scientific desire of creating intelligent machines to equal human capabilities (Kochan 20). Emerging technologies particularly in Artificial Intelligence software have given scientists the capabilities of mimicking human reasoning and deductive abilities. While the use of this software dates back many years, the concept of Artificial intelligence and the use of robotics has generated different ethical and moral issues (Kochan 21). Other than the ethical and moral issues, it has led to increased distrust to scientists and creating a plethora of challenges to the prevailing legal structures.

Humanoid Robot will entail the manufacture and development of intelligent machines using technology. However, this humanoid robot will think like a human being, walk, like a human being, and move around using wireless technologies. Instead of controlled using a remote control, the humanoid robot will be installed with a capacitive brain that uses various codes to move. Additionally, predefined voice mechanism will enable the robots to communicate using the normal voice codes hence enabling it to understand human language. Interestingly, it can read people’s minds and see through clothes (this will form a serious breach of privacy). Such intelligent machines are designed specifically to execute certain purposes and tasks. They are found in different sectors of the society such as the industry, agriculture, domestic appliances, and visual aspects. While the discovery of such machines have made work easier in addition to increasing the level of productivity, a number of ethical issues have emerged, unemployment being one of the leading causes (Kochan 23).

History

An emergence of new technologies has been a subject of debate in the normative state of global ethics in addition to causing increased voice of concern among the public. While ethical issues regarding new technologies are not a new issue, the frequency with which the public is responding is worrying. For instance, the introduction of artificial insemination in live during the 1940s received negative responses from a large section of the society (Singer 3). Fertility treatment on human beings is another increasing concern that is yet to be accepted by many societal institutions. Distrust on scientific discoveries is an increasing phenomenon based on the likely effects of scientific innovations such as the mad cow disease and nuclear bombs. Similarly, the internet was a relatively new issue two decades ago but its ethical effects are expansive, particularly the ease of access to information (Singer 4). Based on this phenomenon, it is apparent that future technologies are going to create more issues that are ethical.

Speaking of laws, ethical issues relating to future technologies are not yet codified thereby increasing the rate of complexities in the event of their innovation. Furthermore, the magnitudes of ethical conflicts are yet to be measured; a factor that makes it difficult for lawmakers, judges, and the public to define their morality. This is in part due to the lack of sufficient time of considering the possible ramifications and as well in part due to the intensification of these ethical issues. This paper focuses on the discussion of using android humanoids and robots as a replacement of human workers.

Issues and various points of view of using this technology in future

Several novel problems are certain to occur with respect to the use of Humanoid Robot in the workplace. First, the significant nature of personhood and social interactions will be affected greatly given that the rate of social exchanges will reduce. Robots depend on pure programmed software and related technologies and hence, ethical issues relating to human responsibilities will give a new picture to social interactions (Steve 15). Equally, human information can be used to program robots as a replacement to specific individuals in the database (Steve 15). Using individual data to program robots can lead to violation of privacy rights.

Virtually, creating employment opportunities is a subject of agenda in many governments across the world. Therefore, using Humanoid Robot as a replacement to human workers violates this macroeconomic objective in addition to jeopardizing the position of individuals to better their living standards using employment. Although it is argued that the most developed economies have managed to achieve rapid advancement through automation of different societal facets, continued innovation of Humanoid Robot will reduce the need of having human workers (Clive). This scenario presents a huge economic problem. Manufacturing industries will also attain supernormal profits hence lacking the aspect of corporate social responsibility (Clive).

Governments are also likely to fail in terms of taking care of the welfare of citizens as far as employment creation is concerned. Socialism levels will drop significantly because most jobs will be done by robots. The citizens of the country will suffer at the expense of the companies and industries that are motivated. With the growing population, majority of families particularly the low level and middle-income families will suffer the effects. Taxation and other economic and social burdens will become a major issue to such families. Undeniably, Humanoid robots provide cheap and efficient services but for the sake of benefits to humanity. On the other hand, it is economically efficient to use cheap means to increase production and efficiency of the factors of production; it is morally unethical to achieve this objective at the expense of human beings.

The increasing phenomenon of using of robots in the work place is likely to bring a major blow to the education sector because semi-skilled and even skilled workers will have to lose their jobs to robots. Even in situations where the workforce can match the prevailing technologies, the technologies will outpace them given the availability of constant technological upgrades. On the positive side, the standards of education will increase in order to meet the pace of these technologies. However, uneducated workers and other semi-skilled individuals will still have to lose their positions in society.

Speaking of erosion of cultural and workplace cultures, using Humanoid Robot in the workplace undermine the societal code of ethics and conduct that have been used in our workplaces. Using these machines as helpers in our homes can bring efficiencies and as well lead to reduced operational costs. More time will then be dedicated in doing other household chores and attending to family issues. However, since challenges occur with developments of these machines, it is emphatically crucial to strike a balance with regard to ways of conducting with which normal duties are conducted and when to use robotics. For instance, having these machines in our homes can influence the social upbringing of children in addition to affecting the family as a social institution.

Legal Issues

These machines are subject to create multiple cases of professional, civil, and product liabilities owing to the increased incorporation in the workplace. Interaction of Humanoid Robot will most likely lead to breach of contract. Due to the lack of legal frameworks to define the type of laws to be applied in such situations, providing solutions in such situations will be quite difficult. The lack of laws that cover this concept expressly means that more difficulties lie ahead as far as these technologies apply. The following are some of the legal issues that might are with the use of these future technologies:
Professional misrepresentation a lot of trust is placed on these technologies to perform sensible activities. For instance, using robots in surgical procedures or other related treatments heightens the possibility of causing professional misrepresentation
Facilitates criminal behavior- these technologies can be used to facilitate criminal activities because they can protect anonymity of the culprits. This can increase the complexity of solving crime cases because they might be executed in conventional circumstances. Worse still, such crimes might fail to fit under the prevailing laws hence making jurisdiction rather challenging. Jurisdictional uneasiness can also occur because of the lack of specific laws to address crimes committed using technologies.
Breach of private and confidential data can lead to the leak of private and confidential information to unauthorized individuals. Solving issues of confidentiality and loss of private data is another challenge
Lack of clarity when defining traditional and legal boundaries depending on the types of technologies used in case exchange of machines occurs

My comments or evaluation

Undeniably, advancements in technology make change a ubiquitous activity in our current society. The use of Humanoid Robot as a replacing of human beings is likely to create increased challenges and legal considerations in many aspects of society (Reynolds). A clear picture can obtained from the examination and analysis of areas that will most likely be affected by the use of these technologies. Even though these technologies can increase the rate of efficiency and productivity levels, the problems that might be incurred by human beings are likely to exceed the probable advantages. Equally, the lack of legal framework to address issues to do with such technologies is another major issue that must be anticipated. Given that this concept involves both negative and positive facets, it is crucial to identify a balance between these factors (Reynolds).

For one reason, the use of these machines leads to improved productivity, higher profit margins, and improved efficiencies. Other the other hand, it leads to erosion of professionalism and organizational culture, breach of privacy and confidentiality, affects education, and increased cases of unemployment. With this picture, it is important that technological developers and legal officer collaborate in defining the legal framework that will in the management of these future technologies.

Summary

Technological advancements are increasing at an increasing rate. New technologies will continue to be a subject of debate in the normative state of global ethics in addition to causing increased voice of concern among the public. The use of Humanoid android might be an old concept but judging from the rate of emerging technologies and widespread applications, diverse moral implications should be expected. Worse, lack of codification of future technologies increases the rate of complexities related to their morality and other ethical implications. Sectors that are likely to suffer increased ethical implications include education, employment, homes, and government activities. Finally yet important, the legal implications that might arise from the use of these technologies revolve around professional, civil, and product liabilities. Since change is unavoidable, striking a balance between these concepts can help in minimizing the ethical complications and as well, in defining a legal framework to follow in addressing these ethical concerns.

Work Cited

Clive, Loughlin. ” Robot ethics and bad workmen,” Industrial Robot: An International Journal, 38 . 2. (2011)
Kochan, Anna. ” Robots in unusual places: a look at the future,” Industrial Robot: An International Journal, 29. 1 (2002):. 20 – 24
Reynolds, W. G. Ethics in Information Technology Third Edition. Course Technology, Cengage Learning. 2010. Print
Singer, P. W. ” Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century”, Industrial Robot: An International Journal, 37. 5 (2010)
Steve, Rabin. AI Game Programming Wisdom. Amazon Books