Records

This academic book chapter examines the legal and ethical implications of robotic assistance, particularly in domestic and care settings. It evaluates whether existing legal doctrines, such as strict product liability and contract law, are sufficient to handle autonomous robotic systems without requiring a complete legal revolution. The authors also discuss the debates surrounding legal personhood for robots, data protection requirements under the GDPR, and the fundamental right to human contact.

This academic book chapter examines the ethical, legal, and social implications of robotic assistance in daily life and care settings, drawing on findings from the Bremen AI Delphi study. It explores public attitudes, trust dimensions, and perceived well-being in human-robot interaction, revealing high overall interest in AI accompanied by deep skepticism regarding human-centric applications such as domestic care and conversation robots. The analysis highlights that perceived technological trustworthiness and imagined well-being heavily influence the public's willingness to adopt robotic assistance.

This academic book chapter examines the ethical concerns and perceptions surrounding the possible integration of collaborative robots (co-bots) in Kenyan workspaces. Based on a qualitative study of information professionals in Kenya, the text explores workers' awareness of co-bots, their willingness to share workspaces with machines, and deep-seated ethical issues such as the concept of work, human dignity, trust, and cultural compatibility. The author concludes that Kenyan workers generally view co-bots as tools rather than colleagues and harbor significant ethical reservations about replacing human labor and altering social structures.

This official legal opinion from the Israel Ministry of Justice addresses whether machine learning enterprises can use copyrighted materials without authorization to train artificial intelligence systems. It concludes that the creation of machine learning datasets is generally permitted under existing copyright doctrines, primarily the fair use doctrine, as well as incidental use and transient copying under certain conditions. The opinion balances the need to foster AI innovation and market competitiveness in Israel against the protection of author rights, while noting specific exclusions such as datasets designed to imitate a single author.

This academic paper investigates whether humans hold artificial systems to the same ethical standards as humans, an underlying assumption of artificial morality research. Through a series of survey-based studies assessing acceptable behavior for robots and human caregivers, the authors find little evidence to reject the assumption that people hold robots to the same ethical standards as humans. Consequently, the study concludes that ethical norms governing human-robot interaction can be modeled on existing moral norms regulating human-human interaction.

This academic paper examines mechanisms for enabling collaborative robots to function as moral agents, arguing that traditional logical frameworks alone cannot resolve the formalization of ethical teachings. It proposes combining utilitarianism with hedonic axiological rules and cognitive maps to model robot moral behavior based on needs, perception, and self-other comparison. The authors formulate three fundamental propositions regarding agent behavior, need significance, and behavioral justification.

This report by the UK government's Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) summarises findings from industry engagement activities regarding the barriers and enablers to AI assurance. It examines cross-sectoral themes as well as specific challenges in three key sectors: HR and recruitment, finance, and connected and automated vehicles (CAV). The publication identifies practical interventions to support the uptake of AI assurance mechanisms and standards in the UK ecosystem.

This working paper by the International Working Group on Data Protection in Technology addresses data protection and privacy issues in smart cities across three stages: data collection, data analysis, and decision-making. It outlines principles and recommendations for accountability, data minimisation, purpose limitation, integrity and confidentiality, transparency, and individual rights. The document provides practical guidance for city governments, regulators, and private sector actors to ensure human-centred, privacy-respecting digitalisation of urban environments.

This document contains a statement by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany regarding the proposed Regulation laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act). Germany supports the text presented by the Presidency to achieve a general approach in the Telecommunications Council, while noting that certain aspects require improvement as previously detailed in written comments. The statement looks forward to these considerations being addressed during forthcoming interinstitutional negotiations with the European Commission and the European Parliament.

This academic chapter describes the adaptation of a study design for evaluating a voice-controlled robotic kitchen assistance system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers applied an iterative risk management process based on ISO 12100:2010 to address safety concerns, shifting from face-to-face evaluation to an online survey using simulated video demonstrations. The authors discuss the challenges of reaching vulnerable older adult populations and question the efficiency of applying machine safety standards to this context.

This academic book chapter examines the challenges that Robotic Process Automation (RPA) presents for IT-governance when business departments independently automate processes. It discusses general IT-governance and RPA-governance approaches, comparing them to highlight potential security, data protection, and compliance risks. A hybrid governance model implemented via a Center of Excellence is presented as a solution for decision-makers.

This academic study investigates the psychological factors influencing the adoption of service robots by proposing and validating an integrated trustworthiness beliefs model for robot acceptance (TB-RAM). Combining elements from the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and trust literature, the researchers conducted an online study with 400 participants to examine how beliefs mediate trust and the intention to use service robots in general as well as specific assistant robots. The findings show that general trust serves as a baseline for specific trust formation, which in turn mediates the relationship between distinctive beliefs (such as competence and effort expectancy) and the intention to use.

This position paper outlines China's stances and recommendations on strengthening the ethical governance of artificial intelligence. It emphasizes a people-centered approach, aiming to ensure that AI is safe, reliable, and controllable across four key aspects: regulation, research and development, utilization, and international cooperation. The document calls for global collaboration, adherence to ethical principles, and the development of international frameworks and standards.

This document is a Charter Statement prepared by the Minister of Justice for Bill C-27 (the Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022), which includes the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act, and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA). It examines the bill's consistency with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, specifically addressing potential impacts on search and seizure, freedom of expression, open courts, offence rights, and the right to liberty. The statement concludes that the provisions are consistent with the Charter because their limits on rights are tailored, proportional, and serve pressing public interests.

This document provides occupational health and safety guidance regarding industrial robots and collaborative robots (cobots) in the workplace. It outlines associated safety standards, potential physical and psychosocial hazards, risk assessment considerations, and a hierarchy of control measures. The resource is published by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) to help workplaces ensure safe human-robot interactions.

This academic article examines the application of robot telepresence as a practical tool to improve transparency, public engagement, and trust in research laboratories working on Trustworthy Autonomous Systems (TAS). It argues that traditional 'cloistered' research practices contribute to public distrust and skepticism, and proposes an 'Open Laboratories' approach combining open science, responsible research and innovation (RRI), and telepresence technologies. The authors also discuss the ethical and privacy implications of introducing telepresence into research environments for both visitors and staff.

The Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights is a guide issued by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to protect the American public from harms caused by automated systems and artificial intelligence. It outlines five core principles: safe and effective systems, algorithmic discrimination protections, data privacy, notice and explanation, and human alternatives, consideration, and fallback. The framework is designed to ensure that the development and deployment of new technologies respect civil rights, democratic values, and equal opportunity.

This academic paper presents the development of an older adult-guided and caregiver-monitored care robot named Dori, designed for prefrail and frail older adults living at home. The study utilizes a human-centered artificial intelligence (HCAI) framework and focus group interviews with caregivers and medical staff to establish ethical sensing services that balance health monitoring needs with human dignity, privacy, and autonomy. Specifically, the robot uses MediaPipe Pose to extract joint coordinate information rather than storing raw camera images, protecting user privacy during activities such as fall detection and medication management.

This academic article explores whether an intelligent robot can possess ethical properties, focusing on the ethical challenges of developing artificial general intelligence. The authors propose using specific activity-based models to allow the algorithmic implementation of ethical functions, while noting the role of reinforcement learning and physiological pain mechanisms in forming moral behavior. Published in Voprosy Filosofii in September 2022, the paper addresses foundational questions in AI ethics and artificial moral agents.

This document is a Commission Staff Working Document containing an impact assessment accompanying the European Commission's proposal for a directive on adapting non-contractual civil liability rules to artificial intelligence. It analyses the legal uncertainty and fragmentation challenges posed by AI, evaluates the risk of lack of compensation for victims, and considers various policy options ranging from targeted alleviations of the burden of proof to harmonised strict liability regimes.

This study explores public opinion regarding liability when harm occurs from autonomous surgical robotic systems across five hypothetical scenarios. Analyzing 2,191 completed surveys from 78 countries, the researchers found that while respondents attributed blame to robot manufacturers for technical malfunctions, human surgeons were still frequently blamed even when they had no role in decision-making. The findings highlight a liability dilemma and support concerns about human operators acting as moral crumple zones in complex autonomous systems.

This opinion paper examines whether human-like affordance design is beneficial for social robots or if it creates mismatched expectations. The authors argue that human-like design can be deceptive and lead to uncertainty or failure due to mismatched capabilities. They propose that social robot affordances should instead be designed as honest signals aligned with internal capabilities and user needs in specific use cases.

This academic article presents an enactivist approach to the ethics of supernumerary robotic limbs, arguing that such wearable augmentation devices act as tools that modify bodily and psychological identity. The authors suggest that technological mediation is crucial for the formation of novel meanings and skills, and they contend that this modification is not inherently unethical. Consequently, the paper proposes reframing the debate on human augmentation beyond the traditional and potentially flawed distinction between therapy and enhancement.

This document establishes a contingency protocol for the Supreme Court of Justice of the Province of Santa Fe to handle IT service outages or cyberattacks. It outlines manual paper-based procedures for submitting new lawsuits, motions, notifications, and payment orders when digital systems like SISFE or the official website are unavailable. Additionally, it provides immediate instructions for judicial staff to disconnect and shut down IT equipment during security incidents.

This research study explores how sentry robots can operate in conflict areas under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to protect parties to a conflict and civilians from suicide bombings. The paper interprets articles of IHL and proposes an operational regulation framework for robotic systems, introducing legal indicators such as certainty, effort, nexus possibility, necessity, and collateral damage. Using a real robot equipped with sensors like a terahertz camera and LiDAR, the authors validate the framework to help operators determine whether targeting decisions comply with IHL.

This report proposes a four-step test and evaluation program for artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies embedded in consumer products. Created by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Chief Technologist, the program outlines methodologies to screen for AI/ML components, assess their implications, analyze their contributions to safety hazards, and monitor their evolution over time. The document provides recommendations for establishing testing protocols through a phased approach and collaborating with external standards bodies.

This research chapter examines the integration of ethical layers and curriculum development into social robotics for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It highlights how social robots act as assistive tools to improve learning achievement, engagement, and social-behavioral skills. The study details the creation and educational analysis of a STEM-focused robotic AI course incorporating simulation theory and human-robot interaction.

ISO/IEC TR 24368:2022 is a technical report that provides an overview of ethical and societal concerns surrounding artificial intelligence. It outlines common sources of these concerns, highlights key principles and processes, and maps relevant international standards supporting responsible AI development. The report aims to promote awareness of risks like bias and transparency issues without prescribing any single value system.

This study examines how professional stakeholders from technology development, industry, and nursing perceive and evaluate the use of gender and age stereotypes in eldercare robotics. Based on 16 semi-structured interviews, the authors identify six distinct approaches to these stereotypes: negation, functionalistic relativization, explanation, neutralization, stereotyping, and queering. The paper discusses the ethical implications of these approaches concerning professional responsibility, autonomy, and discrimination in age tech.

The National Artificial Intelligence Code of Ethics establishes a comprehensive ethical framework for the development, deployment, and usage of artificial intelligence in Jordan. Issued by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, it outlines eight core ethical principles including humanity, inclusiveness, transparency, reliability, and environmental sustainability. The document also provides specific guidelines for virtual environments and metaverse technologies, scientific research, risk mitigation, and compliance recommendations.

This conference paper introduces a flexible case-based robotic architecture designed to guide ethical decision-making in human-robot interactions by leveraging cases from multiple ethical frameworks. The architecture selects appropriate robotic actions based on the specific situation and user context, using survey data derived from both folk morality and formal ethical frameworks. The design is implemented and illustrated through a pill-sorting scenario involving an older adult, where the robot decides whether to provide false encouragement or an accurate assessment.

This academic paper describes the development of an artificial intelligence home care service robot for the elderly, designed in accordance with the Self-Checklist for AI Ethics Standards published by the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT. The paper details how five core ethical requirements—human rights guarantee, privacy protection, non-infringement, public good, and safety—were integrated into the robot's architecture and functions. It illustrates practical implementation in features such as cognitive and emotional activities, physical exercise guidance, medication reminders, and real-time monitoring.

This conference paper investigates how regular adults and ethics experts approach ethical decisions regarding deception in two scenarios: healthcare pill sorting and a child's board game. The authors collected survey data from 100 non-experts and 24 ethics experts evaluating various ethical frameworks, such as Utilitarianism, Kantian Ethics, and Virtue Ethics. The findings suggest that different scenarios prompt the use of specific ethical frameworks, providing empirical foundations for developing a multi-framework ethical architecture for autonomous robots.

This conference paper examines the ethical and legal issues surrounding automated military weapons and sentry robots in South Korea, such as the SGR-A1 deployed in the Demilitarized Zone. It reviews domestic initiatives and ethical guidelines regarding artificial intelligence and intelligent robots, while highlighting controversies over autonomous killing and civilian casualties. Finally, the paper discusses the necessity of developing future-proof laws, risk management systems, and national AI governance centered on trustworthiness.

This qualitative study investigates the ethical risks and requirements associated with developing a robotic system for nursing care using a three-step procedure guided by the British Standard BS 8611. Focus groups with professional nurses and individual interviews with patients and relatives revealed concerns around human dignity, autonomy, personal privacy, relationship quality, safety, and organizational matters such as staffing ratios. The findings emphasize the importance of incorporating multiple perspectives and engaging potential end-users early in the development of healthcare robotics.

This academic paper examines the ethical implications of replacing human relations with humanoid robots from an African ubuntu perspective. It argues that because genuine interdependent relations characterized by human equality, reciprocity, and solidarity can only be experienced with other human beings, interacting with humanoid robots cannot foster full human moral development. Consequently, the paper concludes that allowing humanoid robots to crowd out human relations is morally concerning under ubuntu philosophy.

This research paper examines how contrastive and non-contrastive explanations can help humans understand the ethical principles underlying a robot's action plans. The authors present a formal framework that maps ethical principles like deontology, utilitarianism, and do-no-harm into automated planning models and constraint operators to generate these explanations. Results from a user study indicate that both explanation types help people understand moral reasoning in robots, though with varying nuances.

This editorial introduces a research collection examining the moral and legal status of social robots and AI systems. It maps various approaches including legal standing, public opinion, suffering-based status, and relational ethics. The text serves as an overview to facilitate debate rather than advance a single definitive solution.

This briefing by the European Parliamentary Research Service examines the concept of AI regulatory sandboxes as proposed in the European Commission's draft Artificial Intelligence Act. It outlines the expected benefits and concerns surrounding regulatory sandboxes, such as fostering innovation versus risks of regulatory fragmentation or data protection issues. Additionally, the document reviews stakeholder feedback and the European Parliament's positions regarding sandbox implementation, liability protection, and SME access.

This briefing by the European Parliamentary Research Service examines the concept of AI regulatory sandboxes as proposed in the European Commission's draft Artificial Intelligence Act. It outlines the expected benefits and concerns surrounding regulatory sandboxes, such as fostering innovation and addressing legal uncertainty while avoiding regulatory fragmentation. The document also discusses key stakeholder comments regarding liability protection, data protection rules under the GDPR, and the optional nature of national sandbox implementation.

This academic paper examines the ethical challenges posed by rapid advancements in technoscience, artificial intelligence, robotics, and transhumanist philosophy. It argues for a critical evaluation of technology that avoids both uncritical scientism and anti-science rejection, emphasizing the importance of human values and dignity over technological determinism. Specific societal issues such as technostress, virtual isolation, and digital sexuality are analyzed to illustrate the potential negative impacts of unchecked technological integration.

ISO/IEC 23053:2022 provides a conceptual framework and shared terminology for describing artificial intelligence systems that use machine learning. It defines the components and functions of machine learning-based AI systems within the broader AI ecosystem to offer clarity on operations and interactions. The standard is designed for technical experts and non-specialists seeking to understand machine learning systems in a structured and consistent way.

This document provides the Microsoft Responsible AI Impact Assessment Template for external release, detailing a structured process for assessing AI systems across their lifecycles. It guides development teams through system description, intended uses, adverse impact analysis, data requirements, and summaries of impact linked to Microsoft's Responsible AI Standard. The template is designed to help teams identify stakeholders, potential benefits, harms, fairness considerations, and necessary mitigations.

This Vermont legislative act establishes an artificial intelligence task force to study and make recommendations regarding the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence. It outlines the composition, duties, and reporting requirements of the task force to help guide state policy on emerging technologies. The act directs the group to evaluate potential impacts, risks, and benefits of AI deployment within the state.

This document is an invitation by Singapore's IMDA and PDPC to participate in a pilot phase for a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) AI Governance Testing Framework and Toolkit. The framework translates international AI ethics principles into testable criteria evaluated through a combination of technical tests and process checks. It provides tools for assessing fairness, explainability, and robustness, while fostering an AI testing community to shape future standards.

This document is a report summarizing the first exchange meeting held on May 19, 2022, regarding the creation of an Observatory for the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the State of Uruguay. Organized under the 5th National Open Government Action Plan, the meeting gathered stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to discuss challenges, technical standards, transparency, and capacity building for AI use in the public sector.

This paper introduces a draft open standard for an 'ethical black box' (EBB), which functions as a robot equivalent to an aircraft flight data recorder for securely recording operational data from social robots. The standard provides a technical specification for software modules to log sensor inputs, actuator demands, control decisions, and metadata to support accident investigations, debugging, and explainability. Offered as a Request for Comments (RFC), the draft invites feedback from the robot ethics and robotics research community.

This academic book chapter examines the ethical issues concerning the environmental impact of social robots. It argues that the environmental consequences of robotics depend on choices made today by policymakers, regulators, and developers. Therefore, these choices require normative analysis rather than being viewed as purely technical decisions.

This academic paper discusses responsibility and ethics in robotics based on qualitative expert interviews and talks within the CERSE research project. It presents preliminary findings that robots function as hybrid actor-networks, distribute and govern responsibility collectively, and require proactive communication and reflection from engineers. Ultimately, the paper advocates for a radical transformation of responsibility in robotics toward more openness, inclusion, and transdisciplinary research.

AI Strategy 2022 updates Japan's national artificial intelligence policy to address emerging national and global crises, such as pandemics and large-scale disasters, under Strategic Objective 0. It emphasizes strengthening national and planetary resilience through digital twins, robust cybersecurity, and responsible AI practices, while continuing to promote societal implementation, education reform, and R&D restructuring. The strategy sets concrete targets for human resources development, data infrastructure, and international collaboration across key industrial sectors.