SOUTH KOREA: South Korean government outlines an ethical code that will protect robots and human beings in a high-tech future

Record ID: 401722

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA: South Korean government outlines an ethical code that will protect robots and human beings in a high-tech future
  • Date: 9th May 2007
  • Summary: (L!WE) SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (APRIL 20, 2007) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS AT ROBOT CLUB ASSEMBLING ROBOTS (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) CHEON JOON-SUCK, SOGANG UNIVERSITY STUDENT, SAYING: "If robot ethics become effective, it means there's going to be restrictions against developing robots. If the robot ethics propose restraints before we make advanced robots, then it will s
  • Embargoed: 24th May 2007 13:00
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  • Topics: Science / Technology,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA4GURDC9RFU77JJMSGHRF11T8E
  • Story Text: Experts say as technology continues to play a significant role in our lives, the spaces shared by humans and machines - specifically robots - will continue to merge.
    The South Korean government feels the increasing role of robots in our lives could potentially cause problems if a set of rules is not drawn out.
    To prevent such problems in the future, the South Korean government recently outlined an ethical code that will protect robots and human beings in a future where both are likely to coexist.
    "The government is establishing an ethical code for robots and robot users and manufacturers, and will seek for national consensus and define the technical and ethical limit for developing robots," said Shim Hak-bong, chief manager of the robot team at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy.
    A 12-member task force consisting of scientists, doctors and psychologists is drafting the Robot Ethics Charter that presents standards to protect humans from harm and robots from abuse. It will likely follow the "Three Laws of Robotics," a framework for robot behaviour created by science fiction author Isaac Asimov. The "three laws" prescribe robots to refrain from attacking humans, to obey them and to protect their own existence.
    The South Korean government pours 80 million U.S. dollars annually into research and development in robots.
    Experts look forward to the release in 2018 of the "robot doctor," which can perform surgeries. The government also predicts that each family will have a domestic robot by 2020.
    "I think this ethical charter has a critical meaning for the future robot society. To make the transition to the robotics society, we have to change our system and national mind," said Professor Kim Dae-won of Myongji University.
    South Korea is considered to be one of the world's most high-tech societies. With the highest-speed of internet access and advanced mobile technology, citizens are known to be 'early adopters' of new technologies.
    Meanwhile, robot lovers at Sogang University in Seoul have varying ideas on an ethical code for robots and robot users.
    "If robot ethics become effective, it means there's going to be restrictions against developing robots. If the robot ethics propose restraints before we make advanced robots, then it will slow down the development of robot technologies," said Cheon Joon-suck, student at Sogang University.
    Fellow student Kim Jae-jin disagrees, citing scenarios from science fiction movies. "The future is described as dystopia, destroyed by new technologies. I think the robot ethics is needed to prevent those pre-conceptions and make people get familiar with science. Also I think it's important to show people that science is safe through the robot ethics," he said.
    The Robot Ethics Charter will be released on the internet in early June and the government plans to print it in elementary textbooks.
    But weather the younger generation likes it or not, robots will play an important part in their lives in the near super high-tech future. ENDS.
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