Automation · Jobs · Robotics

Will robots end the need for human work? Economists don’t think so.

Economists don’t think so, but futurists do. While there have been plenty of fears  in the past that automation would do away with too many jobs and not replace them, futurists argue that this time it will really happen. Why do economists not agree? Here’s a video from VOX. Published in November of last year,… Continue reading Will robots end the need for human work? Economists don’t think so.

Automation · Class Resources · Robotics

The Impact of Automation: Sunday, February 18

This Sunday Ann Cockrell will lead us in a discussion of  the impact that automation is having on our economy and perhaps in our lives more generally. You can find some resources on this topic at the Articles and Blogs page. I hope you will join us for a stimulating discussion. There are many different… Continue reading The Impact of Automation: Sunday, February 18

Artificial Intelligence (AI) · Fiction · Robotics

Thank you, Bob

I would like to thank Bob Winstead for a great job leading our discussion of Asimov’s three laws of robotics and the complications with trying to implement them in the real world.

You can find several resources on this topic on the web, but I’ll include only one here. If you would like something to read to follow up on this morning’s discussion, you can try this for starters.

  • Why Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics Can’t Protect Us, io9.gizmodo.com
Artificial Intelligence (AI) · Fiction · Robotics

Sunday, February 11, 2018 Bob Winstead

In his 1942 short story “Runaround” (also included in the collection I, Robot eight years later), Isaac Asimov introduced his three laws of robotics, although he had foreshadowed them in a few earlier stories. Here are the three laws: A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to… Continue reading Sunday, February 11, 2018 Bob Winstead

Artificial Intelligence (AI) · Dangers · Drones · Robotics

Autonomous Weapons?

Many are sounding the alarm about a technology whose necessary components are already available and that could be used in terrifying ways at very little expense. The following video was produced to promote discussion on this issue. It contains upsetting violent imagery, so viewer discretion is advised. Stuart Russell, Anthony Aguirre, Ariel Conn and Max… Continue reading Autonomous Weapons?