Robotic Persons: Our Future with Social Robots

by Joshua K. Smith

Robotic Persons will introduce the evangelical community to the journey of Robotic Futurism and how current and forthcoming AI-driven robots will impact human value and dignity. This book will consider three key areas of robotic development and the existential risks on the horizon for humans in the fields of work, war, and sex. There are risks in the fields of work, because there is a temptation to replace human workers with automation. Current arguments for the benefit of war fighting robots posit that these robots will eliminate war and the risk of war, but there is much more to the story. Arguments for sex and companion robots proffer that they will benefit the fringe community or help those who do not have a relative to care for them, but again there are many ethical and philosophical problems with these arguments. Robotic Persons not only introduces the reader to these issues, but also gives an evangelical response to each. There is presently no evangelical work addressing these critical issues. Robotic Persons will argue that granting legal personhood to qualified robots will further prevent dehumanizing use of robots and protect human dignity and value.

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2021

Reviews

[Daryl P Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scholarly and erudite discussion of AI robots biased by the bible.

There is no mistaking this book for anything other than a well referenced academic work. There are footnotes on almost every page and the bibliography extends to 35 pages. The language and concepts are pitched at university level with logical and extensive arguments, some of which are recursive. There is a good overview of the ethical, legal and moral implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robots in the context of work replacement, warfare and companionship (latter including sexual functions in some cases).

Part of the author's thesis is summarised in his own words "The danger of dehumanization in the realm of robotics is that as it becomes economically feasible to replace humans in the realms of work, war, and sex, humans will lose their value and dignity in the sight of humans, which will lead to multiple forms of objectification and damage." He also argues that AI robots of the future, once endowed with concepts of right and wrong, deserve to be treated as persons. This is because he draws a distinction between the Greek persona, meaning an actor or character, and humanity that is imbued with a soul.

Unfortunately, the author makes it clear from the outset that he is inserting himself into the discussion to bolster the spiritual and faith side of the argument rather than the scientific or secular. This bias, relying upon the bible as the indisputable source of truth and approach (any form of masturbation is sinful) mars the credibility and leads to questions about his selectivity on the evidence adduced. It is also clear from the reading that no current AI or robots meet the criteria for personhood and it is debatable whether they could be reliably schooled or be held accountable as legal individuals as he also argues that extant humans are not entirely free and are constrained by laws, societal expectations and other obligations.

I am impressed by the scholarship and erudition, but disagree with his fundamental assumptions and conclusions.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gellybabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting analysis on possible issues with AI. Some of the book gets very religious and many mention of Evangelical community. What I like especially about this analysis is that it is very well researched, comes across as intelligent and not conspiracy theorist ( valid in its own way but some of it can come across as unhinged). Very thought provoking. I will definitely revisit this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.