NationStates Jolt Archive

The Kingdom of Tihland is currently manufacturing robots for use in raising the standards of living for each of its loyal subjects. The robots have positronic brains and are capable of the speed of human thought, if not moreso. They will be required to perform duties that humans should not do that are unsafe or cause too much weary.

However, as a progressive member of the United Nations, I, as King of Tihland, must ask, is this ethical? Should these robots be required to be "slaves"? We're dealing with an entirely different race of beings here. I assure you that all robots under my rule are treated fairly and with the utmost of respect. If you'd like to purchase some, they're for sale for 100 Bobort Bucks. You may ask, why so cheap? Well, we have a 100% tax rate, and we are financially responsible. We would like to see more nations raise their standards of living; however we are concerned with the use of the robots as war machines. Any robots purchased from Tihland are under strict supervision by contracts. (Don't mess with the Kingdom of Tihland---we have a fairly large Uranium Mining sector...)

What do you think?

Yours royally,
King Bobort of Tihland

Robots don't have a consious, or feelings, I say make them work until they short circuit.


-John Riqures, Nividia Representitive

Ah, yes, the question of consciousness. My dear friend, these robots are extremely fast thinkers. As a matter of fact, we are thinking of cutting all human intervention in the manufacturing of these robots so that robots can improve themselves. If these robots wish to consider themselves conscious, then they can, just as much as you or I claim to be conscious.

--King Bobort

The Kingdom of Tihland is currently manufacturing robots for use in raising the standards of living for each of its loyal subjects. The robots have positronic brains and are capable of the speed of human thought, if not moreso. They will be required to perform duties that humans should not do that are unsafe or cause too much weary.

However, as a progressive member of the United Nations, I, as King of Tihland, must ask, is this ethical? Should these robots be required to be "slaves"? We're dealing with an entirely different race of beings here. I assure you that all robots under my rule are treated fairly and with the utmost of respect. If you'd like to purchase some, they're for sale for 100 Bobort Bucks. You may ask, why so cheap? Well, we have a 100% tax rate, and we are financially responsible. We would like to see more nations raise their standards of living; however we are concerned with the use of the robots as war machines. Any robots purchased from Tihland are under strict supervision by contracts. (Don't mess with the Kingdom of Tihland---we have a fairly large Uranium Mining sector...)

What do you think?

Yours royally,
King Bobort of Tihland


It is unethical to replace humans with robots! You are taking away the livelihoods of thousands of poor humans -- how can you do this?

You fail to understand the whole purpose of the robots. When humans are not doing work, the robots are. It leaves humans with plenty more time to have fun and enjoy life. For that, my friends, is the purpose of life--to enjoy it. It is a time of perfect Utopia when robots take complete control of human labors, for only then can humans do their favorite pasttime all the time--BE CREATIVE! I highly doubt robots will become highly creative, but if the most creative human works on it, I'm sure they'd succeed. It would become a time of friendship between robots & humans. Truly magnificent!

--King Bobort

An interesting topic.

Our policy is that robots, androids et all can be considered for any task on the prerequisite that they do not possess what some call A.I. That is to say the ability to think outside their general programming, and the ability to form opinions and have emotions.

When any being's consciousness is indistinguishable from that of humans, they must be granted the same rights.

Hallelujah! I was hoping I'd bump into someone like you! Creating a new race would be absolutely fantastic. An artificial intelligence has just been installed in the Tihlandian computer network. We are working towards full upgraded implementation of a revised version of this intelligence to place into our manufactured robots! Please, buy our robots now before they begin to have their own minds and choose to immigrate to your country. Our human capabilities are truly amazing!

--King Bobort of Tihland

In the opinion of Gurthark, the speed at which the robots think--or their ability to perform well on I.Q. tests--is irrelevant. Can they resent being ordered about? Can they aspire to something better? Do they have hopes, dreams, goals, desires? Do they feel pain?

If you can *very* confidently answer these questions "no," we do not believe you are doing anything unethical.

Sincerely,
Miranda Googleplex
United Nations Ambassador
Community of Gurthark

Our policy is that robots, androids et all can be considered for any task on the prerequisite that they do not possess what some call A.I. That is to say the ability to think outside their general programming, and the ability to form opinions and have emotions.


No, no, no, no. AI is not the ability the have emotions. And it also cannot form opinions, but it can come up with logical solutions. AI is what it is, artificial intelligence. If you looked the 2 words up in a dictionary, and put one and one togehter, you would realize that that is intelligence derived from artifical sources (AKA your computerized chip or whatever is in your robot).

We do not view the said use of robotic mechanisms as unethical.

However, as a progressive member of the United Nations, I, as King of Tihland, must ask, is this ethical? Should these robots be required to be "slaves"? We're dealing with an entirely different race of beings here.

Yours royally,
King Bobort of Tihland


Your Majesty,

The Carver States also is involved in an aggressive program of automation. To us the issue is meaningless since robots would possess no more self-awareness than, say, a can-opener or a bathtub. It sounds as if your robots could be of a somewhat humanoid design, and therefore you and your subjects might be unconsciously experiencing guilt sensations at seeing these devices performing labors. Keep in mind that these are sophisticated tools, not people.

Jackson Hughes
Primate for Science and Technology
Carver States

Where do cyborgs fit into the equation?

The question of cyborgs is quite a question indeed. The Kingdom of Tihland does not view the research and implementation of cyborgs as an ethical means to progress humanity. Robots and humans should remain separate. Of course, it depends on your definition of cyborg as well. If you have a prosthetic to help you with your daily activites, then under the Tihlandian definition of cyborg, you are not a cyborg. The use of medical advances to help people is always welcome with open arms.

--King Bobort

I need to rephrase something I said in the last post. Robot parts and human parts should remain separate. I don't have much of a problem implanting electronic chips in humans as long as it's been proven to be safe or helpful to the individual.

Also, the leader of Hewitt stated "If you looked up the 2 words in the dictionary [...]". I respond by this: Why do you let the dictionary dictate what a word means to you? Did you think of just looking up the entire word "artificial intelligence"? And AI can form opinions! AI can have emotions! All one must do is provide the necessary simulation engine!

Think of it this way: In 3D Graphics software, the effects of lighting are all simulated, not necessarily based on the actual laws of optics. Computer scientists simply developed a way to make things LOOK like things are 3D. We could do the same with Artificial Intelligence. We could make the AI LOOK like it has actual emotions and opinions.

--King Bobort of Tihland

In time, robots will possess self-teaching artiicial intelligence. They will be able to repair and modify themselves. Studies have been underway since the late 90's in this direction.
When this happens, it will be as if we shared the world with another intelligent species, one without feeling, incapable of sympathizing with human needs and motives. It will be as if aliens had truly landed.

Given the movement of technological progress, this development seems inevitable. The newcomers will not be human at all, but they will be sentient and as such should be accorded some basic rights.

Also, the leader of Hewitt stated "If you looked up the 2 words in the dictionary [...]". I respond by this: Why do you let the dictionary dictate what a word means to you? Did you think of just looking up the entire word "artificial intelligence"? And AI can form opinions! AI can have emotions! All one must do is provide the necessary simulation engine!


Ok you got me on the dictionary thing, maybe I should be a little less complicated to those of you who are a tad on the slow side. And no, AI cannot have emotions or opinions. Artifical Inteligence is intelligence brought upon by artifical sources, not ARTIFICIAL FEELINGS OR ARTIFICAL EMOTIONS. Once you let it have feelings and opinions, it isn't Artifical Intelligence anymore. It is something far deeper that, and I don't even know if it has been classified.

I kind of like the idea of cyborg soldiers.

Anyone see Robocop?