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Care ethics has been advanced as a suitable framework for evaluating the ethical significance of assistive robotics. One of the most prominent care ethical contributions to the ethical assessment of assistive robots comes through the work of Aimee Van Wynsberghe, who has developed the Care-Centred Value-Sensitive Design framework (CCVSD) in order to incorporate care values into the design of assistive robots. Building upon the care ethics work of Joan Tronto, CCVSD has been able to highlight a number of ways in which care practices can undergo significant ethical transformations upon the introduction of assistive robots. In this paper, we too build upon the work of Tronto in an effort to enrich the CCVSD framework. Combining insights from Tronto’s work with the sociological concept of emotional labor, we argue that CCVSD remains underdeveloped with respect to the impact robots may have on the emotional labor required by paid care workers. Emotional labor consists of the managing of emotions and of emotional bonding, both of which signify a demanding yet potentially fulfilling dimension of paid care work. Because of the conditions in which care labor is performed nowadays, emotional labor is also susceptible to exploitation. While CCVSD can acknowledge some manifestations of unrecognized emotional labor in care delivery, it remains limited in capturing the structural conditions that fuel this vulnerability to exploitation. We propose that the idea of privileged irresponsibility, coined by Tronto, helps to understand how the exploitation of emotional labor can be prone to happen in roboticized care practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article considers topical issues of roboethics and its importance in innovation technology management in the modern technological environment. The paper examines the role of leadership in the modern technological environment and analyzes the interaction between humans and robots. The authors studied the influence of robotics on interpersonal relations, collective work, and the adaptation of workers to modern technological challenges. The work pays special attention to the ethical aspects of human interaction with robots in an innovative environment. The article's authors highlight the importance of developing ethical standards to ensure safety, efficiency, and social responsibility in innovation management. The study carried out an in-depth analysis of the aspects mentioned above. It made conclusions that contribute to the understanding of the critical problems of roboethics in the innovative management of technologies and also determined the ways of further research for the practical introduction of robotics in the corporate environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) are unquestionably enhancing human potential. They operate in a range from simple reasoning, performing simple actions to imitating complex human cognitive and labour functions. Their tasks can vary from fun or games to helping people with difficult or tedious tasks. In order to understand the impact of artificial intelligence, it is both important to learn from past successes and failures, and to predict its future directions and potential legal, ethical and socioeconomic implications. In the near future, intelligent robots will increasingly become an integral part of ordinary people’s lives. The potential benefits are great, however there are also significant risks and ethical challenges. Our autonomy can be threatened, and social interaction obstructed. The widespread use of robots can lead to reduced contact between people and possible restrictions on personal freedoms. Smart machines are shaping a radically new world, bringing significant economic and cultural changes, creating both winners and losers on a global scale. Artificial intelligence is developed by taking humans as a model. Despite this, artificial intelligence and human beings remain fundamentally different due to their different natures. Can we then share the same moral concepts? Although there are many concerns about what robotics and AI mean for our future, there is a belief from a scientific or philosophical perspective that they represent a part of the evolution. We progress, redefining humanity along the way, constantly questioning what makes us unique as humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes an integrative approach to robotics research, based on bringing interdisciplinarity into the lab. Such an approach will facilitate researchers across various fields in gaining a more nuanced understanding of technology, how it is developed, and its potential impacts. We describe how a philosopher spent time embedded in robotics labs in different European countries as part of an interdisciplinary team, gaining insights into their work and perspectives, including how robotics researchers view ethical issues related to robotics research. Focusing on issues raised by the EU Parliamentary Motion on Robotics, we developed a seminar and questionnaire that investigated questions of ethics, electronic personhood and the role of policy in research ethics. Our findings highlight that while robotics researchers care about the ethical implications of their work and support policy that addresses ethical concerns, they believe there to be significant misunderstandings in how policy makers view robotics and AI, as well as a lack of understanding of, and trust in, the role that experts outside of robotics can play in regulating robotics research effectively. We propose that an integrative approach can break down these misunderstandings by demystifying the way that knowledge is created across different fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most challenging goals in social robotics is implementing emotional skills. Making robots capable of expressing and deciphering emotions is considered crucial for allowing humans to socially interact with them. In addition to presenting technical challenges, the implementation of artificial emotions in artificial systems raises intriguing ethical issues. In this paper, moving from the case study of a human android, we present a relational perspective on human–robot interaction, claiming that, since robots are material objects not endowed with subjectivity, only an asymmetrical relationship can be established between robots and humans. Based on this claim, we deal with some of the most relevant issues in roboethics, such as transparency, trust, and authenticity. We conclude suggesting that a machine-centered approach to ethics should be abandoned in favor of a relational approach, which revalues the centrality of human being in the Human–Robot Interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Life Education is the property of Life Education Center, National Taiwan University & Taiwan Life Education Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article discusses the topic of ethics and policy for human interaction with robots. The term “robot ethics” (or roboethics) is generally concerned with ethical problems that may occur when humans and robots interact in social situations or when robots make decisions which could impact human well-being. For example, whether robots pose a threat to humans in warfare, the use of robots as caregivers, or the use of robots which make decisions which could impact historically disadvantaged populations. In each case, the focus of the discussion is predominantly on how to design robots that act ethically toward humans (some refer to this issue as “machine ethics”). Alternatively, robot ethics could refer to the ethics associated with human behavior toward robots especially as robots become active members of society. It is this latter and relatively unexplored view of robot ethics that this article focuses on, and specifically whether robots will be the subject of discriminatory and biased responses from humans based on the robot’s perceived race, gender, or ethnicity. If so, the paper considers what issues are implicated, and how society might respond? From past research, preliminary evidence suggests that acts of discrimination which may be directed against people may also be expressed toward robots experienced in social contexts; therefore, discrimination against robots as a function of their physical design and behavior is an important and timely topic of discussion for robot ethics, human–robot interaction, and the design of social robots.

This paper attempts to highlight the ne to include Roboethics in the study of Business Ethics. With the increasing dependence on Machine Learning (ML)/Artificial Intelligence (AI) in management decision-making and the ethical risks around privacy, explainability and bias, the subject of AI Ethics is becoming an integral part of modern-day Business Ethics. However, Roboethics has not yet been an actively discussed subject in the field of Business Ethics. We have highlighted the commonality of topics between AI Ethics and Roboethics, the problems unique to Roboethics due to the anthropomorphization of robots which may be of remarkable importance in Business Ethics. We feel that the inclusion of Roboethics in the study of Business Ethics would help in making Roboethics actionable and compatible with real-world business necessities of the near future when the human-robot symbiotic environment in the business workplace and boardroom discussions become a reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morality and ethics are inter-connected issues that have faced the human race since time immemorial. The expectation that all human interactions be based on ethical foundations has inspired the same concerns to resonate in the field of human-robot interactions. The present study aims to understand the contemporary status of the field of Roboethics through a Bibliometric analysis of literature published between 2005 and 2021. Information on 1405 documents sourced from the Artificial Intelligence (AI) dimensions database and further evaluated for relevance yielded 567 documents for analysis in VOS viewer. The results indicate increased importance of the field through a recent peak in document number publications in 2019 with seminal contributions of authors like Mark Coeckelbergh amongst others. The network of Institutions, authors, documents, countries and sources was derived as a result of citation metrics and analysis. Co-citation analysis and bibliographic coupling indicated important themes of documents such as Machine, AI ethics, engineering ethics; socially assistive robots; and robot for the elderly, robot rights and governance of legal aspects amongst others. The present study is unique in referencing a wide diaspora of documents for a more representative view of an area that is uniquely positioned to influence human lives. Inculcation of ethics in robots will indicate whether human lives will take a turn for the better or worsen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Envisioning humans and (smart) robots collaboratively working on the manufacturing shop floor, sharing spaces, tasks and objectives, reflects the ambitious goal that the ideal factory of the future aspires to attain. However, ensuring the effective implementation of this novel form of labour organisation remains an ongoing area of research. Key aspects such as the future role of workers, potential psychological risks, and the overall ethical considerations of human-robot (H-R) collaboration warrant further investigation until the underpinning safety challenges have been addressed. This study presents a novel ethical framework for H-R collaboration in manufacturing, which involved 30 subject-matter experts in ethics within the European context in a collaborative design process conducted through a year-long three-round data collection qualitative Delphi study. The ethical framework adopts a human-centric approach, recognising the influences that expand beyond the specific context of H-R dynamics on the shop floor, towards organisational and societal governance for a more responsible integration of (smart) robotics into the professional settings. Ethics, in this regard, aims to foster ethical awareness and accountability in the processes and practices of design and innovation, involving all stakeholders who play a role in shaping the future of Industry 5.0. • This framework is the results of a year-long, three-round qualitative Delphi approach with 30 European ethicists. • Ethical principles were co-defined to address H-R collaboration challenges both on the shop floor and at organisational level. • Three ethical principles on the shop floor focus on human autonomy, (decision) authority and agency. • The organisational governance for H-R collaboration includes six ethical principles. • These principles cover human dignity, liability, safety, GDPR principles, unbiased ML/AI data, and human resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing all spheres of human life. From industrial processes to graphic design, the implementation of automated intelligent systems is changing how industries work. The spread of robots and AI systems has triggered academic institutions to closely examine how these technologies may affect the humanity—this is how the fields of roboethics and AI ethics have been born. The identification of ethical issues for robotics and AI and creation of ethical frameworks were the first steps to creating a regulatory environment for these technologies. In this paper, we focus on regulatory efforts in Europe and North America to create enforceable regulation for AI and robotics. We describe and compare ethical principles, policies, and regulations that have been proposed by government organizations for the design and use of robots and AI. We also discuss proposed international regulation for robotics and AI. This paper tries to highlight the need for a comprehensive, enforceable, and agile policy to ethically regulate technology today and in the future. Through reviewing existing policies, we conclude that the European Unition currently leads the way in defining roboethics and AI ethical principles and implementing them into policy. Our findings suggest that governments in Europe and North America are aware of the ethical risks that robotics and AI pose, and are engaged in policymaking to create regulatory policies for these new technologies.

Robotics is currently not only a cutting-edge research area, but is potentially disruptive to all domains of our lives—for better and worse. While legislation is struggling to keep pace with the development of these new artifacts, our intellectual limitations and physical laws seem to present the only hard demarcation lines, when it comes to state-of-the-art R&D. To better understand the possible implications, the paper at hand critically investigates underlying processes and structures of robotics in the context of Heidegger's and Nishitani's accounts of science and technology. Furthermore, the analysis draws on Bauman's theory of modernity in an attempt to assess the potential risk of large-scale robot integration. The paper will highlight undergirding mechanisms and severe challenges imposed upon our socio-cultural lifeworlds by massive robotic integration. Admittedly, presenting a mainly melancholic account, it will, however, also explore the possibility of robotics forcing us to reassess our position and to solve problems, which we seem unable to tackle without facing existential crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A crucial philosophical problem of social robots is how much they perform a kind of sociality in interacting with humans. Scholarship diverges between those who sustain that humans and social robots cannot by default have social interactions and those who argue for the possibility of an asymmetric sociality. Against this dichotomy, we argue in this paper for a holistic approach called "Δ phenomenology" of HSRI (Human-Social Robot Interaction). In the first part of the paper, we will analyse the semantics of an HSRI. This is what leads a human being (x) to assign or receive a meaning of sociality (z) by interacting with a social robot (y). Hence, we will question the ontological structure underlying HSRIs, suggesting that HSRIs may lead to a peculiar kind of user alienation. By combining all these variables, we will formulate some final recommendations for an ethics of social robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Love dolls, the successors of blow-up dolls, are widespread. They can be ordered online or bought in sex shops and can be found in brothels and households. Sex robots are also on the rise. Research, however, has been slow to address this topic thoroughly. Often, it does not differentiate between users and areas of application, remaining vague, especially in the humanities and social sciences. The present contribution deals with the idea and history of love dolls and sex robots. Against this background, it identifies areas of application that have not been investigated or have hardly been investigated at all. These include prisons, the military, monasteries and seminaries, science, art and design as well as the gamer scene. There is, at least, some relevant research about the application of these artefacts in nursing and retirement homes and as such, these will be given priority. The use of love dolls and sex robots in all these fields is outlined, special features are discussed and initial ethical, legal and pragmatic considerations are made. It becomes clear that artificial love servants can create added value, but that their use must be carefully considered and prepared. In some cases, their use may even be counterproductive.

Social robotics are autonomous robots or Artificial Moral Agents (AMA), that will interact respect and embody human ethical values. However, the conceptual and practical problems of building such systems have not yet been resolved, playing a role of significant challenge for computational modeling. It seems that the lack of success in constructing robots, ceteris paribus, is due to the conceptual and algorithmic limitations of the current design of ethical robots. This paper proposes a new approach for developing ethical capacities in robotic systems, one based on the concept of Aristotelian phronesis. Phronesis in principle reflexes closer human ethics than the ethical paradigms we employ today in ethical robotics. This paper describes the essential features of phronesis and proposes a high-level architecture for implementing phronetic principles in autonomous robots. Phronetic robotics is in its early stages of conceptualization, so many of the presented ideas are speculative and require further research.2

This article investigates public opinion about smart robots, with special focus on the ethical dimension. In so doing, the study reviews relevant literature and analyzes data from the comments sections of four publically available online news articles on smart robots. Findings from the content analysis of investigated comments suggest that public opinion about smart robots remains fairly negative, and that public discussion is focused on potentially negative social and economic impacts of smart robots on society, as well as various liability issues. In particular, many comments were what can only be called “apocalyptical”, suggesting that the rise of smart robots is a threat to the very existence of human beings, and that the replacement of human labour by smart robots will lead to deepening the socio-economic gap, and concentrating power and wealth in the hands of even fewer people. Further, public discussion seems to pay little attention to the debate on whether robots should have “rights”, or on the increasing environmental effects of the growth in robotics. This study contributes to the extant literature on “roboethics”, by suggesting a dendrogram approach to illustrate themes based on a qualitative content analysis. It suggests that smart robot manufacturers should ensure better transparency and inclusion in their robotics design processes to foster public adoption of robots.

This article focuses on “roboethics” in the age of growing adoption of smart robots, which can now be seen as a new robotic “species”. As autonomous AI systems, they can collaborate with humans and are capable of learning from their operating environment, experiences, and human behaviour feedback in human-machine interaction. This enables smart robots to improve their performance and capabilities. This conceptual article reviews key perspectives to roboethics, as well as establishes a framework to illustrate its main ideas and features. Building on previous literature, roboethics has four major types of implications for smart robots: 1) smart robots as amoral and passive tools, 2) smart robots as recipients of ethical behavior in society, 3) smart robots as moral and active agents, and 4) smart robots as ethical impact-makers in society. The study contributes to current literature by suggesting that there are two underlying ethical and moral dimensions behind these perspectives, namely the “ethical agency of smart robots” and “object of moral judgment”, as well as what this could look like as smart robots become more widespread in society. The article concludes by suggesting how scientists and smart robot designers can benefit from a framework, discussing the limitations of the present study, and proposing avenues for future research.

In this article, I propose an ethical analysis of assistive domestic robots for older users. In doing so, I illustrate my inquiry with the example of ROB-IN assistive robot. ROB-IN is a Spanish project which is devoted to developing a robot that will perform in the private home of nondependent, aged users. It is aimed to help people in their daily activities and contribute to appropriate health monitoring. One of their potentially most useful features is related to data gathering and sharing. For the inquiry on the ethical underpinnings of this case, I develop a framework for domestic assistive robots for competent older adults drawn on the ethics of care. I assess that this type of robots could be ethically appraised attending to their impact on the well-being and autonomy of users. I approach autonomy from a relational perspective, and I delve into the relationship between autonomy and well-being through the concept of paternalism. I argue that this type of assistive robots should never act paternalistically. Given ROB-IN great implications regarding privacy, I subsequently explore the ways in which the privacy of users should be respected in their interaction with assistive robots, focusing on the relation with autonomy and well-being. Lastly, I highlight the need for avoiding ageism. This investigation focuses on aged users, but it is suggested that the situation of caregivers should be also the object of further investigations., (© 2024 The Author(s). Bioethics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

This paper examines the public perception of smart robots using an extraordinary concentration on ethical perspective. In doing so, the study reviews the supplementary literature and evaluates information from the comment sections of four public internet news posts on intelligent robots. The findings from the physical analysis of the explored comments indicate that public opinion regarding smart robots is very negative and that the debate is based on various accountability issues as well as the harmful social and economic consequences of robots around the earth. In particular, many comments are called "apocalyptic", indicating that the growth of smart robots is a threat to human existence, as well as changing the human labor through smart robots widens the socio-economic gap. Furthermore, the public debate over whether robots have "rights" or the environmental implications of the growth of robotics is central to this debate. In this paper, we can see a complete comprehensive classification of robots. And the crucial, ethical legal and social issues of robots can be seen. This research is based on Europeans on the robotics roadmap, plus it is the end result of 3 years of study and discussion with robotics and humanities scholars. This classification refers to obvious or pressing or sensitive ethical difficulties in key application areas of robotics, making in-depth analysis further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Th is article proposes a refl ection on the relationship between ethics, law and new technologies. Th e relevance of the debate is testifi ed by numerous initiatives and measures, both European and international, which aim to off er answers, necessarily not defi nitive but evolving, to phenomena such as the development of the internet of things, the incessant extraction and use of big data and, more generally, advances in artifi cial intelligence and robotics. From this perspective, issues such as respect for privacy and human dignity are raised, to be balanced with the right to inform and be informed as a sign of an eff ectively shared knowledge. What emerges is the need for a deep critical consideration of the guarantee of individual and collective spheres of action, removed from the domination of market interests, in the affi rmation of prevailing and non-negotiable rights. Equally indispensable is the critical attention given to the limits to be placed on human manipulation and alteration, and on the relationship between human being and machine. Th is assumes a particular ethical, legal and prescriptive meaning aimed at guaranteeing the pluralism of values and dialogue typical of every democratic society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological progress may eventually produce sophisticated robots with human-like traits that result in humans forming meaningful relationships with them. Such relationships would likely lead to a demand for human–artificial intelligence (AI) matrimony. U.S. Supreme Court decisions that expanded the definition of marriage to include interracial and same-sex couples, as well as those that have not extended marriage to polygamous relationships, provide guidance regarding the criteria that human–AI would have to meet to successfully assert a right to marry. Ultimately, robots will have to possess certain characteristics of personhood to marry, including the capacity to contract and to engage in an intimate relationship. Alternatively, if AIs can simulate these abilities sufficiently, we may believe that they have these capacities. Even if AIs genuinely possess the capabilities necessary to enter into a marriage, it is social acceptance of intelligent non-humans as life partners that will likely influence legal development is this realm rather than personhood criteria. However, AIs are likely to face bias due to their "artificial" rather than biological nature. Yet, Peter Singer's influential argument regarding speciesism in the context of animal rights implies that AIs with specific human-like qualities cannot be justifiably denied certain rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of some research conducted in Italy on the perception of robots. The study was carried out as part of a project arranged by the School of Robotics (Scuola di Robotica) in 2017/2018 and involved around 700 Italian citizens belonging to different social groups. Data collection used mixed methods: surveys, focus groups, interviews, and participatory workshops. The results were compared with surveys conducted in Europe by the Eurobarometer.

This article provides a detailed description of robotic weapons and unmanned systems currently used by the U.S. Military and its allies, and an ethical assessment of their actual or potential use on the battlefield. Firstly, trough a review of scientific literature, reports, and newspaper articles, a catalogue of ethical problems related to military robotics is compiled. Secondly, possible solutions for these problems are offered, by relying also on analytic tools provided by the new field of roboethics. Finally, the article explores possible future developments of military robotics and present six reasons why a war between humans and automata is unlikely to happen in the 21st century.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused dramatic effects on the healthcare system, businesses, and education. In many countries, businesses were shut down, universities and schools had to cancel in-person classes, and many workers had to work remotely and socially distance in order to prevent the spread of the virus. These measures opened the door for technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence to play an important role in minimizing the negative effects of such closures. There have been many efforts in the design and development of robotic systems for applications such as disinfection and eldercare. Healthcare education has seen a lot of potential in simulation robots, which offer valuable opportunities for remote learning during the pandemic. However, there are ethical considerations that need to be deliberated in the design and development of such systems. In this paper, we discuss the principles of roboethics and how these can be applied in the new era of COVID-19. We focus on identifying the most relevant ethical principles and apply them to a case study in dentistry education. DenTeach was developed as a portable device that uses sensors and computer simulation to make dental education more efficient. DenTeach makes remote instruction possible by allowing students to learn and practice dental procedures from home. We evaluate DenTeach on the principles of data, common good, and safety, and highlight the importance of roboethics in Canada. The principles identified in this paper can inform researchers and educational institutions considering implementing robots in their curriculum.

The relationship between religions and science can be considered historically controversial in nature. In constantly evolving global societies, it is important to provide a new perspective on the past and present relationship between religions and technological developments in the different societies. In this regard, this paper will provide insights into the different ways in which ancient societies and their religious traditions helped in the development of technological progress. At one end, it will highlight some of the positive contributions of different religions towards technological progress in the past. At the other end, this discussion will aid in dispelling the viewpoint that perceived the ancient cultures and societies as bereft of technological knowledge and innovation. This paper will provide a historical perspective on the development of relationship between religion and robotics in the past. A brief look at the existing scenario within the contemporary societies will also be examined, along with discussion of socio-cultural norms and values related to perception of robots in different Eastern and Western cultures. The discussion will conclude with some predictions regarding the future, along with the different ways in which the relationship of co-existence and co-dependence is expected to evolve between religion and robotics in the future, which goes beyond the predictions of mass annihilation and mass enslavement by sentient AI-based robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Love dolls, the successors of blow-up dolls, are widespread. They can be ordered online or bought in sex shops and can be found in brothels and households. Sex robots are also on the rise. Research, however, has been slow to address this topic thoroughly. Often, it does not differentiate between users and areas of application, remaining vague, especially in the humanities and social sciences. The present contribution deals with the idea and history of love dolls and sex robots. Against this background, it identifies areas of application that have not been investigated or have hardly been investigated at all. These include prisons, the military, monasteries and seminaries, science, art and design as well as the gamer scene. There is, at least, some relevant research about the application of these artefacts in nursing and retirement homes and as such, these will be given priority. The use of love dolls and sex robots in all these fields is outlined, special features are discussed and initial ethical, legal and pragmatic considerations are made. It becomes clear that artificial love servants can create added value, but that their use must be carefully considered and prepared. In some cases, their use may even be counterproductive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Commercial & Intellectual Property Law (TFM) / Ticaret ve Fikri Mülkiyet Hukuku Dergisi is the property of Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Facult of Law and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Over the past two decades, ethical challenges related to robotics technologies have gained increasing interest among different research and non-academic communities, in particular through the field of roboethics. While the reasons to address roboethics are clear, why not to engage with ethics needs to be better understood. This paper focuses on a limited or lacking engagement with ethics that takes place within some parts of the robotics community and its implications for the conceptualisation of the human being. The underlying assumption is that the term 'ethical' essentially means 'human'. Thus, this paper discusses a working hypothesis according to which by avoiding to engage with roboethics, roboticists contribute to the tacit dehumanisation process emerging in and outside of robotics. An alternative approach includes 'lived ethics' which involves not only incorporating formal ethical approaches into the roboticists' work but also 'being' ethical and actually engaging with ethical reflection and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semi-autonomous machines, autonomous machines and robots inhabit closed, semi-closed and open environments. There they encounter domestic animals, farm animals, working animals and/or wild animals. These animals could be disturbed, displaced, injured or killed. Within the context of machine ethics, the School of Business FHNW developed several design studies and prototypes for animal-friendly machines,which can be understood as moral machines in the spirit of this discipline. They were each linked with an annotated decision tree containing the ethical assumptions or justifications for interactions with animals. Annotated decision trees are seen as an important basis in developing moral machines. They are not without problems and contradictions, but they do guarantee well-founded, secure actions that are repeated at a certain level. This article documents completed and current projects, compares their relative risks and benefits, and makes proposals for future developments in machine ethics. The findings in this article and proposals for the future hope to systemically promote animal well-being and prevent animal suffering in encounters between machines and animals.

Social robotics are autonomous robots or Artificial Moral Agents (AMA), that will interact respect and embody human ethical values. However, the conceptual and practical problems of building such systems have not yet been resolved, playing a role of significant challenge for computational modeling. It seems that the lack of success in constructing robots, ceteris paribus, is due to the conceptual and algorithmic limitations of the current design of ethical robots. This paper proposes a new approach for developing ethical capacities in robotic systems, one based on the concept of Aristotelian phronesis. Phronesis in principle reflexes closer human ethics than the ethical paradigms we employ today in ethical robotics. This paper describes the essential features of phronesis and proposes a high-level architecture for implementing phronetic principles in autonomous robots. Phronetic robotics is in its early stages of conceptualization, so many of the presented ideas are speculative and require further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates public opinion about smart robots, with special focus on the ethical dimension. In so doing, the study reviews relevant literature and analyzes data from the comments sections of four publically available online news articles on smart robots. Findings from the content analysis of investigated comments suggest that public opinion about smart robots remains fairly negative, and that public discussion is focused on potentially negative social and economic impacts of smart robots on society, as well as various liability issues. In particular, many comments were what can only be called "apocalyptical", suggesting that the rise of smart robots is a threat to the very existence of human beings, and that the replacement of human labour by smart robots will lead to deepening the socio-economic gap, and concentrating power and wealth in the hands of even fewer people. Further, public discussion seems to pay little attention to the debate on whether robots should have "rights", or on the increasing environmental effects of the growth in robotics. This study contributes to the extant literature on "roboethics", by suggesting a dendrogram approach to illustrate themes based on a qualitative content analysis. It suggests that smart robot manufacturers should ensure better transparency and inclusion in their robotics design processes to foster public adoption of robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on "roboethics" in the age of growing adoption of smart robots, which can now be seen as a new robotic "species". As autonomous AI systems, they can collaborate with humans and are capable of learning from their operating environment, experiences, and human behaviour feedback in human-machine interaction. This enables smart robots to improve their performance and capabilities. This conceptual article reviews key perspectives to roboethics, as well as establishes a framework to illustrate its main ideas and features. Building on previous literature, roboethics has four major types of implications for smart robots: 1) smart robots as amoral and passive tools, 2) smart robots as recipients of ethical behaviour in society, 3) smart robots as moral and active agents, and 4) smart robots as ethical impact-makers in society. The study contributes to current literature by suggesting that there are two underlying ethical and moral dimensions behind these perspectives, namely the "ethical agency of smart robots" and "object of moral judgment", as well as what this could look like as smart robots become more widespread in society. The article concludes by suggesting how scientists and smart robot designers can benefit from a framework, discussing the limitations of the present study, and proposing avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I address the issue of evil and roboethics in the context of management studies and suggest that management scholars should locate evil in the realm of the human rather than of the artificial. After discussing the possibility of addressing the reality of evil machines in ontological terms, I explore users' reaction to robots in a social context. I conclude that the issue of evil machines in management is more precisely a case of technology anthropomorphization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]