Isaac Asimov once proposed three guiding rules for robots, ensuring they would never harm humans, always follow human orders unless it led to harm, and protect themselves only if doing so did not conflict with the other rules. Today, however, a report from the Royal Society and the British Academy argues for simplifying this approach to just one central guideline: robots and intelligent systems should exist to help humans thrive.
According to Prof Dame Ottoline Leyser, co-chair of the Royal Society’s science policy advisory group, placing human flourishing at the center of our relationship with intelligent systems neatly captures the intent behind Asimov’s original principles. Essentially, all of Asimov’s rules can be encompassed within the idea that technology should always work to enhance the quality of human life.
The report emphasizes the need for a new oversight organization to ensure that intelligent machines are developed and used to serve people, not dominate them. It advocates for a system of democratic supervision over self-learning systems, highlighting that without robust governance, these technologies could lead to significant problems.
The report does not foresee a future where machines enslave humanity. Instead, it warns that as systems capable of independent learning and decision-making become part of our homes, businesses, and public services, there are many opportunities for issues to arise if proper ethical and regulatory frameworks are not in place.
Antony Walker, deputy chief executive of TechUK and one of the report’s authors, stresses that the benefits of these emerging technologies depend on public trust. This trust can only be achieved if the systems are thoughtfully designed and regulated with clear ethical and democratic values, beyond just technical specifications.
The report suggests forming a “stewardship body” composed of experts and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive ethical framework for artificial intelligence. It outlines four broad principles to guide this process:
- Protect the rights and interests of individuals and communities.
- Ensure systems are transparent, accountable, and inclusive.
- Learn from both successes and failures to adopt best practices.
- Strengthen existing democratic governance structures.
These recommendations come at a time when technologies such as autonomous vehicles raise important questions about safety and liability. For instance, if a self-driving car faces a dilemma between protecting its passengers or pedestrians, how should that decision be made? Similarly, as intelligent systems begin to take on roles like personalized tutoring, clear guidelines are necessary to ensure these systems are acting in the best interests of those they serve.
The report also calls for greater public access to the workings of intelligent systems. When details about these technologies are kept hidden for commercial gain, it becomes harder to spot and correct potential issues. Current regulations tend to focus on personal data, but they do not address the broader spectrum of information we constantly share—data that can be used to build detailed profiles of our behaviors and preferences.
According to Prof Leyser, regulatory approaches need to be tailored to the specific uses of an algorithm. For example, a recommendation engine for books is very different from an algorithm used to diagnose a medical condition, so a one-size-fits-all regulation isn’t practical.
The UK government has recognized the importance of these issues. The Conservative Party’s manifesto included a promise to introduce a digital charter and establish a data use and ethics commission. UK Minister for Digital Matt Hancock has stressed that effective and ethical data governance is critical for the future of both the economy and society, and he affirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with industry to establish sound rules.
Ultimately, the successful integration of intelligent systems into everyday life depends on how well they are regulated. Only with proper oversight will the full potential of these technologies to enhance human flourishing be realized.
