The role of driverless cars in future transport systems remains debatable, in terms of their potential to replace other transport modes or have a novel, unique, and complementary functionality.
Category: Robotics

Driverless Cars Will Make Passenger Rail Obsolete
By Yair Wiseman on June 18th, 2019 in Editorial & Opinion, Magazine Articles, Robotics, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
In the age of driverless cars, rail — as a means of transportation that takes many people from one central station to another central station — has lost justification for its existence.

Assessing Artificial Intelligence for Humanity
By Andrzej Nowak on February 1st, 2019 in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Editorial & Opinion, Ethics, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Robotics, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
Will AI be our biggest ever advance — or the biggest threat? The real danger of AI lies not in sudden apocalypse, but in the gradual degradation and disappearance of what make human experience and existence meaningful.

Odorveillance and the Ethics of Robotic Olfaction
By Emily Stark on January 25th, 2019 in Editorial & Opinion, Ethics, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Robotics, Social Implications of Technology
Given the current lack of regulation, there is nothing in principle to stop unscrupulous organizations from deploying surreptitious robotic olfaction.

Implantable Technology
By Robert Sobot on January 1st, 2019 in Editorial & Opinion, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Robotics, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
Many recent advances in implantable devices not so long ago would have been strictly in the domain of science fiction. At the same time, the public remains mystified, if not conflicted about implantable technologies. Rising awareness about social issues related to implantable devices requires further exploration.

Ethics of Robotic Deception
By Ronald C. Arkin on October 9th, 2018 in Editorial & Opinion, Ethics, Magazine Articles, Robotics, Social Implications of Technology
The time of robotic deception is rapidly approaching. We are being bombarded regarding the inherent ethical dangers of the approaching robotics and AI revolution, but far less concern has been expressed about the potential for robots to deceive human beings.

The Ultimate Black Box
By Krishna Sood on August 25th, 2018 in Ethics, Industry View, Magazine Articles, Robotics, Social Implications of Technology
Developers face a conundrum when launching software that must be equipped to make a moral judgment. Algorithms are being programmed to make consequential decisions that align with laws and moral sensibilities.

BOOK REVIEW: Drone Warfare
By Jacob Ossar on April 27th, 2018 in Book Reviews, Magazine Articles, Robotics, Societal Impact
When thanks to drone use soldiers rarely come home in body bags, members of the public are not often prompted to care about or even notice military activity half a world away.

Why Did the AI Cross The Road: AI Rationale
By Jim Isaak on April 20th, 2018 in Articles, Robotics
We are asking for AI rationale that can be used to improve operations, or attribute liability. This effort is doomed to failure, and may lead to greater problems.

The Danger of Empathy for Robots
By Jim Isaak on April 13th, 2018 in Articles, Robotics, Societal Impact
One result of increased AI integration will be increased empathy for robots. This transformation has potential upsides and risks.

The Internet of Moving Things
By Rui Costa on March 31st, 2018 in Human Impacts, Industry View, Magazine Articles, Robotics, Societal Impact
Mobile technology isn’t just in your pocket 24/7. It’s everywhere around us today, with its continual byproduct — data — trailing us everywhere we go. The great nexus of this 21st-century trend isn’t really your smartphone — it’s the city where you live, work, and play.

Robots and SocioEthical Implications
By Katina Michael on March 7th, 2018 in Editorial & Opinion, Magazine Articles, Robotics, Societal Impact
Is it unreasonable for us to want more from the AI-inspired — something more than, for example, a robot that can get up off the ground, and recover from being hit with a club?

When is AI really I?
By Jim Isaak on February 9th, 2018 in Articles, Human Impacts, Robotics, Social Implications of Technology
I have an expectation that machine consciousness will emerge unexpected, unsought, and perhaps undetected.

On Country
By Alexander Hayes on September 26th, 2017 in Editorial & Opinion, Magazine Articles, Robotics, Societal Impact
Mining has had an impact on many Aboriginal communities in Australia. As we move to a mining sector where dump trucks, underground excavators, loaders, and conveyor systems are transformed into partial or fully autonomous systems, there is little or no human labor required other than to maintain equipment or provide oversight using a range of distant surveillance technologies.

Should We Trust Robots?
By SFIS on September 19th, 2017 in Podcasts, Robotics
Philosopher-ethicist Jai Galliott and cybersecurity-engineer-computer scientist Benjamin Turnbull from the University of New South Wales join Andrew Maynard and Heather… Read More

A Review of Technology Advances for Assisting Paralyzed People
By Sunil Jacob on August 1st, 2017 in Health & Medical, Human Impacts, Leading Edge, Magazine Articles, Robotics
Many stroke survivors retain some degree of paralysis and thus have limited use of their body. According to published surveys,… Read More

Bots Trending Now: Disinformation and Calculated Manipulation of the Masses
By Katina Michael on July 28th, 2017 in Editorial & Opinion, Magazine Articles, Robotics
A bot (short for robot) performs highly repetitive tasks by automatically gathering or posting information based on a set of… Read More

Regulating Spies in the Skies: Recommendations for Drone Rules in Canada
By ieeessit on June 29th, 2017 in Magazine Articles, Privacy & Security, Robotics, Societal Impact
Aerial drones are increasingly being repurposed for domestic use and legislated for public and commercial purposes around the world. Japan,… Read More

Implantable Technologies in the Military Sector
By Phil Hall on June 29th, 2017 in Editorial & Opinion, Magazine Articles, Robotics
These remarks were delivered at the close of the 9th Workshop on the Social Implications of National Security (SINS16), Melbourne,… Read More

Brain Implants and Memory
By Guest Author on June 29th, 2017 in Editorial & Opinion, Magazine Articles, Robotics, Societal Impact
Heather M. Roff and Peter W. Singer [1] strikingly identify a problem for the next American president in the form… Read More