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Fu Fu
Future of AI Future of AI Robots Revolt in R.U.R. – a 1920 play

Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics

CSE 415: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

University of Washington
Winter 2024

© S. Tanimoto and University of Washington, 2024

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Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of

Fu
I, Robot -- Stories by Isaac Asimov Fu
Robotics (1940)
Future of AI Future of AI

First Law: A robot may not injure a human or through

inaction, allow a human to come to harm.
Published as a collection on December 2, 1950.
(The individual stories had appeared in print
between 1940 and 1950.) Second Law: A robot must obey the orders given it by
human beings, unless such orders would conflict with the
The "Laws of Robotics" were a recurring theme
within the stories. first law.

Third Law: A robot must protect its own existence, as long as

such protection does not conflict with the first or second law.

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Fu
Future of AI Are the 3 Laws the Answer? Fu
Future of AI The Trolley Problem

Carrying out the laws requires very sophisticated judgment.

A runaway trolley is hurling down a steep incline, heading for five

workmen on the tracks.

The switch conductor can shunt the trolley away from the 5, toward a
single person.

What is the ethical action to take?

(and what should a robot do?)

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Fu
Future of AI Extending the Laws(?!)
Zeroth law: A robot may not injure humanity or through inaction allow
humanity to come to harm.
(due to Asimov, Olivaw, and Calvin).

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