SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 27
Download to read offline
AI-Powered Robots for
Libraries: Exploratory
Questions
Bohyun Kim
CTO for the Univ. Libraries & Associate Professor,
University of Rhode Island, USA
IFLA WLIC Satellite Meeting, Berlin, Germany, 

August 21-22, 2019,
We will discuss…
1. What counts as a ‘Robot’?
2. General concerns about the
adoption of robots
3. Robots for libraries
1. ‘Robot’
Appearance like a human?
A physical body?
Intelligent / smart?
What counts as a robot?
Candidates
Anything that can be programmed to
move, no matter how simple
Software designed to automate tasks
How to distinguish a robot from a
typical machine or software?
A Working
Definition
“A machine, situated in the world, that senses, thinks,
and acts” 



— from George Bekey, “Current Trends in Robotics:
Technology and Ethics,” in Robot Ethics: The Ethical
and Social Implications of Robotics, eds. Patrick Lin,
Keith Abney, and George Bekey (Cambridge, MA: MIT
Press, 2012), p.18.
‘Embodied’
Take in sensory input from the
surroundings; process it for a cognitive
task; and act upon the physical world.
Need sensors;
Need some cognitive capability to process
the input from the environment and to
determine the response or an action;
Need actuators, which allow it to physically
act upon the environment.
AI-Powered Robots
Intelligent and autonomous in
performing not only mechanical but
also cognitive tasks
The capability of AI-powered robots
far exceeds that of other simpler and
less sophisticated machines.
Robots & Humans
No consciousness, desire, motive, or
other mental states
Human tendency to
anthropomorphize
The adoption of robots raises
interesting and unique concerns.
2. General
Concerns
Safety
Morality
Human-Robot Relationship & Social
Norms
Manipulation / Deception
(a) Safety
Harming humans either by accident
or while trying to achieve its goal?
A kill switch & an override option
Levels of Autonomy
General AI vs. Weak/Narrow AI
‘human-in-the-loop’
‘human-on-the-loop’
‘human-off-the-loop’
Designing a Safe
Robot
Depends on the specific type of task
that it is supposed to perform & the
risks associated with the given task.
The efficiency and the cost-savings
vs. safety concerns
(b) Morality
With AI’s decision-making capability,
to what use should we put those AI
systems & how much control should
we allow them to have?
Trolley Problem
Once a thought experiment
Now an engineering problem
Applied to military robots?
Issues & Solutions
Machine morality
What level of autonomy & ethical
sensitivity is a robot equipped with?
What level of machine morality would
be feasible and appropriate for a given
robot?
The impact of having robots as another
social agent in our world
(c) Human-Robot
Relationship
Projecting human qualities onto a
robot
Emotional attachment
Can be beneficial if those help to
fulfill the robot’s intended use
Can be harmful to the robot user
and impede its intended function
Intended Use
Those who build a robot: 

What type of relationship is the robot
supposed to form with its user for
optimal functioning?
Robot users: 

Need to be aware of the fact that a
robot may be designed to elicit
anthropomorphic projection to
perform its function.
(d) Manipulation
More robots in a personal
environment such as homes and care
facilities
Playing a social role such as a
companion and a caretaker
Many will treat them as social agents
either consciously or unconsciously.
Abuse/Deception by
Robot Manufacturers
Charging an exorbitant amount of
fee for a care robot’s software
upgrade
Programming a robot to suggest a
purchase to its user
Mishandling personal and private
information that a user confides to
the robot
Issues
Manipulation and deception through a
robot is particularly pernicious because
it preys on people’s natural inclination
of caring about other social agents.
Is a robot to be treated as a social
agent or a mere tool/thing?
What about the mistreatment of a
robot?
3. Robots for
Libraries
AuRoSS, a robotic shelf scanning 

system, Singapore
Nao robots - Westport Public Library, USA
Finch robots - Chicago Public Library, USA
Robot Day - San Diego Public Library, USA
Areas for Robot
Adoption
Greeting & Directions
University of Pretoria, South Africa

- ‘Libby’
Access Services
Reference
University of Oklahoma, USA - Alexa
Reader's advisory service
A reading robot - ‘Luka’
Human-Robot
Interactions at Libraries
The role of an assistant and a
companion that help library users
with accomplishing a variety of tasks
Likely to be positive and friendly
How would the previous concerns
apply to library robots?
A Library is …
A safe space mentally and physically
Free/equal access to information to the public
Empowers people through knowledge
Protects people’s intellectual freedom
Helps people exercise their right to pursue
information and knowledge privately without
being monitored or surveilled by a third party
Guidelines for
Library Robots
Stricter guidelines for library robots
involved in library patrons’
information-seeking activities?
Future
More sophisticated, versatile, and
autonomous robots at our homes,
workplaces, and libraries.
Neither our society nor the library yet
fully understands how the wide
adoption of robots will affect us.
As a new type of social agent, robots
will generate a lot of interesting
questions.
Thank you!
@bohyunkim
http://bohyunkim.net

More Related Content

More from Bohyun Kim

Machine Intelligence and Moral Decision-Making
Machine Intelligence and Moral Decision-MakingMachine Intelligence and Moral Decision-Making
Machine Intelligence and Moral Decision-MakingBohyun Kim
 
Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Libraries
Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Libraries Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Libraries
Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Libraries Bohyun Kim
 
Taking on a New Leadership Challenge: Student-Focused Learning in Artificial ...
Taking on a New Leadership Challenge: Student-Focused Learning in Artificial ...Taking on a New Leadership Challenge: Student-Focused Learning in Artificial ...
Taking on a New Leadership Challenge: Student-Focused Learning in Artificial ...Bohyun Kim
 
Moving Forward with Digital Disruption: A Right Mindset
Moving Forward with Digital Disruption: A Right MindsetMoving Forward with Digital Disruption: A Right Mindset
Moving Forward with Digital Disruption: A Right MindsetBohyun Kim
 
 Blockchain Overview: Possibilities and Issues
 Blockchain Overview: Possibilities and Issues Blockchain Overview: Possibilities and Issues
 Blockchain Overview: Possibilities and IssuesBohyun Kim
 
AI Lab at a Library? Why Artificial Intelligence Matters & What Libraries Can Do
AI Lab at a Library? Why Artificial Intelligence Matters & What Libraries Can DoAI Lab at a Library? Why Artificial Intelligence Matters & What Libraries Can Do
AI Lab at a Library? Why Artificial Intelligence Matters & What Libraries Can DoBohyun Kim
 
A Pedagogical Approach to Web Scale Discovery User Interface
A Pedagogical Approach to Web Scale Discovery User InterfaceA Pedagogical Approach to Web Scale Discovery User Interface
A Pedagogical Approach to Web Scale Discovery User InterfaceBohyun Kim
 
From Virtual Reality to Blockchain: Current and Emerging Tech Trends
From Virtual Reality to Blockchain: Current and Emerging Tech TrendsFrom Virtual Reality to Blockchain: Current and Emerging Tech Trends
From Virtual Reality to Blockchain: Current and Emerging Tech TrendsBohyun Kim
 
Interdisciplinary Learning through Libraries on Artificial Intelligence
Interdisciplinary Learning through Libraries on Artificial IntelligenceInterdisciplinary Learning through Libraries on Artificial Intelligence
Interdisciplinary Learning through Libraries on Artificial IntelligenceBohyun Kim
 
Facing Change: Tweak or Transform?
Facing Change: Tweak or Transform?Facing Change: Tweak or Transform?
Facing Change: Tweak or Transform?Bohyun Kim
 
Innovating Together: the UX of Discovery
Innovating Together: the UX of DiscoveryInnovating Together: the UX of Discovery
Innovating Together: the UX of DiscoveryBohyun Kim
 
Cleaning Up the Mess: Modernizing Your Dev Team’s Outdated Workflow
Cleaning Up the Mess: Modernizing Your Dev Team’s Outdated WorkflowCleaning Up the Mess: Modernizing Your Dev Team’s Outdated Workflow
Cleaning Up the Mess: Modernizing Your Dev Team’s Outdated WorkflowBohyun Kim
 
Pricing, Staff Workflow, & Application Development for 3D Printing Service: ...
 Pricing, Staff Workflow, & Application Development for 3D Printing Service: ... Pricing, Staff Workflow, & Application Development for 3D Printing Service: ...
Pricing, Staff Workflow, & Application Development for 3D Printing Service: ...Bohyun Kim
 
Growing Makers in Medicine, Life Sciences, and Healthcare
Growing Makers in Medicine, Life Sciences, and HealthcareGrowing Makers in Medicine, Life Sciences, and Healthcare
Growing Makers in Medicine, Life Sciences, and HealthcareBohyun Kim
 
Branding LITA: A Market Identity for the 21st Century
Branding LITA: A Market Identity for the 21st CenturyBranding LITA: A Market Identity for the 21st Century
Branding LITA: A Market Identity for the 21st CenturyBohyun Kim
 
The Social Dimension of Technology
The Social Dimension of Technology The Social Dimension of Technology
The Social Dimension of Technology Bohyun Kim
 
IT Budgeting with Scarcity
IT Budgeting with ScarcityIT Budgeting with Scarcity
IT Budgeting with ScarcityBohyun Kim
 
Building a Makerspace: Where to Start
Building a Makerspace: Where to StartBuilding a Makerspace: Where to Start
Building a Makerspace: Where to StartBohyun Kim
 
Coding 101: A hands-on introduction
Coding 101: A hands-on introduction Coding 101: A hands-on introduction
Coding 101: A hands-on introduction Bohyun Kim
 
Why Care About Coding?
Why Care About Coding?Why Care About Coding?
Why Care About Coding?Bohyun Kim
 

More from Bohyun Kim (20)

Machine Intelligence and Moral Decision-Making
Machine Intelligence and Moral Decision-MakingMachine Intelligence and Moral Decision-Making
Machine Intelligence and Moral Decision-Making
 
Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Libraries
Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Libraries Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Libraries
Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Libraries
 
Taking on a New Leadership Challenge: Student-Focused Learning in Artificial ...
Taking on a New Leadership Challenge: Student-Focused Learning in Artificial ...Taking on a New Leadership Challenge: Student-Focused Learning in Artificial ...
Taking on a New Leadership Challenge: Student-Focused Learning in Artificial ...
 
Moving Forward with Digital Disruption: A Right Mindset
Moving Forward with Digital Disruption: A Right MindsetMoving Forward with Digital Disruption: A Right Mindset
Moving Forward with Digital Disruption: A Right Mindset
 
 Blockchain Overview: Possibilities and Issues
 Blockchain Overview: Possibilities and Issues Blockchain Overview: Possibilities and Issues
 Blockchain Overview: Possibilities and Issues
 
AI Lab at a Library? Why Artificial Intelligence Matters & What Libraries Can Do
AI Lab at a Library? Why Artificial Intelligence Matters & What Libraries Can DoAI Lab at a Library? Why Artificial Intelligence Matters & What Libraries Can Do
AI Lab at a Library? Why Artificial Intelligence Matters & What Libraries Can Do
 
A Pedagogical Approach to Web Scale Discovery User Interface
A Pedagogical Approach to Web Scale Discovery User InterfaceA Pedagogical Approach to Web Scale Discovery User Interface
A Pedagogical Approach to Web Scale Discovery User Interface
 
From Virtual Reality to Blockchain: Current and Emerging Tech Trends
From Virtual Reality to Blockchain: Current and Emerging Tech TrendsFrom Virtual Reality to Blockchain: Current and Emerging Tech Trends
From Virtual Reality to Blockchain: Current and Emerging Tech Trends
 
Interdisciplinary Learning through Libraries on Artificial Intelligence
Interdisciplinary Learning through Libraries on Artificial IntelligenceInterdisciplinary Learning through Libraries on Artificial Intelligence
Interdisciplinary Learning through Libraries on Artificial Intelligence
 
Facing Change: Tweak or Transform?
Facing Change: Tweak or Transform?Facing Change: Tweak or Transform?
Facing Change: Tweak or Transform?
 
Innovating Together: the UX of Discovery
Innovating Together: the UX of DiscoveryInnovating Together: the UX of Discovery
Innovating Together: the UX of Discovery
 
Cleaning Up the Mess: Modernizing Your Dev Team’s Outdated Workflow
Cleaning Up the Mess: Modernizing Your Dev Team’s Outdated WorkflowCleaning Up the Mess: Modernizing Your Dev Team’s Outdated Workflow
Cleaning Up the Mess: Modernizing Your Dev Team’s Outdated Workflow
 
Pricing, Staff Workflow, & Application Development for 3D Printing Service: ...
 Pricing, Staff Workflow, & Application Development for 3D Printing Service: ... Pricing, Staff Workflow, & Application Development for 3D Printing Service: ...
Pricing, Staff Workflow, & Application Development for 3D Printing Service: ...
 
Growing Makers in Medicine, Life Sciences, and Healthcare
Growing Makers in Medicine, Life Sciences, and HealthcareGrowing Makers in Medicine, Life Sciences, and Healthcare
Growing Makers in Medicine, Life Sciences, and Healthcare
 
Branding LITA: A Market Identity for the 21st Century
Branding LITA: A Market Identity for the 21st CenturyBranding LITA: A Market Identity for the 21st Century
Branding LITA: A Market Identity for the 21st Century
 
The Social Dimension of Technology
The Social Dimension of Technology The Social Dimension of Technology
The Social Dimension of Technology
 
IT Budgeting with Scarcity
IT Budgeting with ScarcityIT Budgeting with Scarcity
IT Budgeting with Scarcity
 
Building a Makerspace: Where to Start
Building a Makerspace: Where to StartBuilding a Makerspace: Where to Start
Building a Makerspace: Where to Start
 
Coding 101: A hands-on introduction
Coding 101: A hands-on introduction Coding 101: A hands-on introduction
Coding 101: A hands-on introduction
 
Why Care About Coding?
Why Care About Coding?Why Care About Coding?
Why Care About Coding?
 

Recently uploaded

The Data Metaverse: Unpacking the Roles, Use Cases, and Tech Trends in Data a...
The Data Metaverse: Unpacking the Roles, Use Cases, and Tech Trends in Data a...The Data Metaverse: Unpacking the Roles, Use Cases, and Tech Trends in Data a...
The Data Metaverse: Unpacking the Roles, Use Cases, and Tech Trends in Data a...Aggregage
 
IaC & GitOps in a Nutshell - a FridayInANuthshell Episode.pdf
IaC & GitOps in a Nutshell - a FridayInANuthshell Episode.pdfIaC & GitOps in a Nutshell - a FridayInANuthshell Episode.pdf
IaC & GitOps in a Nutshell - a FridayInANuthshell Episode.pdfDaniel Santiago Silva Capera
 
Nanopower In Semiconductor Industry.pdf
Nanopower  In Semiconductor Industry.pdfNanopower  In Semiconductor Industry.pdf
Nanopower In Semiconductor Industry.pdfPedro Manuel
 
Empowering Africa's Next Generation: The AI Leadership Blueprint
Empowering Africa's Next Generation: The AI Leadership BlueprintEmpowering Africa's Next Generation: The AI Leadership Blueprint
Empowering Africa's Next Generation: The AI Leadership BlueprintMahmoud Rabie
 
Apres-Cyber - The Data Dilemma: Bridging Offensive Operations and Machine Lea...
Apres-Cyber - The Data Dilemma: Bridging Offensive Operations and Machine Lea...Apres-Cyber - The Data Dilemma: Bridging Offensive Operations and Machine Lea...
Apres-Cyber - The Data Dilemma: Bridging Offensive Operations and Machine Lea...Will Schroeder
 
COMPUTER 10: Lesson 7 - File Storage and Online Collaboration
COMPUTER 10: Lesson 7 - File Storage and Online CollaborationCOMPUTER 10: Lesson 7 - File Storage and Online Collaboration
COMPUTER 10: Lesson 7 - File Storage and Online Collaborationbruanjhuli
 
KubeConEU24-Monitoring Kubernetes and Cloud Spend with OpenCost
KubeConEU24-Monitoring Kubernetes and Cloud Spend with OpenCostKubeConEU24-Monitoring Kubernetes and Cloud Spend with OpenCost
KubeConEU24-Monitoring Kubernetes and Cloud Spend with OpenCostMatt Ray
 
Cybersecurity Workshop #1.pptx
Cybersecurity Workshop #1.pptxCybersecurity Workshop #1.pptx
Cybersecurity Workshop #1.pptxGDSC PJATK
 
NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 Workshop
NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 WorkshopNIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 Workshop
NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 WorkshopBachir Benyammi
 
IESVE Software for Florida Code Compliance Using ASHRAE 90.1-2019
IESVE Software for Florida Code Compliance Using ASHRAE 90.1-2019IESVE Software for Florida Code Compliance Using ASHRAE 90.1-2019
IESVE Software for Florida Code Compliance Using ASHRAE 90.1-2019IES VE
 
Designing A Time bound resource download URL
Designing A Time bound resource download URLDesigning A Time bound resource download URL
Designing A Time bound resource download URLRuncy Oommen
 
Salesforce Miami User Group Event - 1st Quarter 2024
Salesforce Miami User Group Event - 1st Quarter 2024Salesforce Miami User Group Event - 1st Quarter 2024
Salesforce Miami User Group Event - 1st Quarter 2024SkyPlanner
 
UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 7
UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 7UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 7
UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 7DianaGray10
 
Connector Corner: Extending LLM automation use cases with UiPath GenAI connec...
Connector Corner: Extending LLM automation use cases with UiPath GenAI connec...Connector Corner: Extending LLM automation use cases with UiPath GenAI connec...
Connector Corner: Extending LLM automation use cases with UiPath GenAI connec...DianaGray10
 
UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 6
UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 6UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 6
UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 6DianaGray10
 
How Accurate are Carbon Emissions Projections?
How Accurate are Carbon Emissions Projections?How Accurate are Carbon Emissions Projections?
How Accurate are Carbon Emissions Projections?IES VE
 
Crea il tuo assistente AI con lo Stregatto (open source python framework)
Crea il tuo assistente AI con lo Stregatto (open source python framework)Crea il tuo assistente AI con lo Stregatto (open source python framework)
Crea il tuo assistente AI con lo Stregatto (open source python framework)Commit University
 
Machine Learning Model Validation (Aijun Zhang 2024).pdf
Machine Learning Model Validation (Aijun Zhang 2024).pdfMachine Learning Model Validation (Aijun Zhang 2024).pdf
Machine Learning Model Validation (Aijun Zhang 2024).pdfAijun Zhang
 

Recently uploaded (20)

The Data Metaverse: Unpacking the Roles, Use Cases, and Tech Trends in Data a...
The Data Metaverse: Unpacking the Roles, Use Cases, and Tech Trends in Data a...The Data Metaverse: Unpacking the Roles, Use Cases, and Tech Trends in Data a...
The Data Metaverse: Unpacking the Roles, Use Cases, and Tech Trends in Data a...
 
IaC & GitOps in a Nutshell - a FridayInANuthshell Episode.pdf
IaC & GitOps in a Nutshell - a FridayInANuthshell Episode.pdfIaC & GitOps in a Nutshell - a FridayInANuthshell Episode.pdf
IaC & GitOps in a Nutshell - a FridayInANuthshell Episode.pdf
 
Nanopower In Semiconductor Industry.pdf
Nanopower  In Semiconductor Industry.pdfNanopower  In Semiconductor Industry.pdf
Nanopower In Semiconductor Industry.pdf
 
Empowering Africa's Next Generation: The AI Leadership Blueprint
Empowering Africa's Next Generation: The AI Leadership BlueprintEmpowering Africa's Next Generation: The AI Leadership Blueprint
Empowering Africa's Next Generation: The AI Leadership Blueprint
 
201610817 - edge part1
201610817 - edge part1201610817 - edge part1
201610817 - edge part1
 
Apres-Cyber - The Data Dilemma: Bridging Offensive Operations and Machine Lea...
Apres-Cyber - The Data Dilemma: Bridging Offensive Operations and Machine Lea...Apres-Cyber - The Data Dilemma: Bridging Offensive Operations and Machine Lea...
Apres-Cyber - The Data Dilemma: Bridging Offensive Operations and Machine Lea...
 
COMPUTER 10: Lesson 7 - File Storage and Online Collaboration
COMPUTER 10: Lesson 7 - File Storage and Online CollaborationCOMPUTER 10: Lesson 7 - File Storage and Online Collaboration
COMPUTER 10: Lesson 7 - File Storage and Online Collaboration
 
KubeConEU24-Monitoring Kubernetes and Cloud Spend with OpenCost
KubeConEU24-Monitoring Kubernetes and Cloud Spend with OpenCostKubeConEU24-Monitoring Kubernetes and Cloud Spend with OpenCost
KubeConEU24-Monitoring Kubernetes and Cloud Spend with OpenCost
 
Cybersecurity Workshop #1.pptx
Cybersecurity Workshop #1.pptxCybersecurity Workshop #1.pptx
Cybersecurity Workshop #1.pptx
 
NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 Workshop
NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 WorkshopNIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 Workshop
NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 Workshop
 
IESVE Software for Florida Code Compliance Using ASHRAE 90.1-2019
IESVE Software for Florida Code Compliance Using ASHRAE 90.1-2019IESVE Software for Florida Code Compliance Using ASHRAE 90.1-2019
IESVE Software for Florida Code Compliance Using ASHRAE 90.1-2019
 
20150722 - AGV
20150722 - AGV20150722 - AGV
20150722 - AGV
 
Designing A Time bound resource download URL
Designing A Time bound resource download URLDesigning A Time bound resource download URL
Designing A Time bound resource download URL
 
Salesforce Miami User Group Event - 1st Quarter 2024
Salesforce Miami User Group Event - 1st Quarter 2024Salesforce Miami User Group Event - 1st Quarter 2024
Salesforce Miami User Group Event - 1st Quarter 2024
 
UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 7
UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 7UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 7
UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 7
 
Connector Corner: Extending LLM automation use cases with UiPath GenAI connec...
Connector Corner: Extending LLM automation use cases with UiPath GenAI connec...Connector Corner: Extending LLM automation use cases with UiPath GenAI connec...
Connector Corner: Extending LLM automation use cases with UiPath GenAI connec...
 
UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 6
UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 6UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 6
UiPath Studio Web workshop series - Day 6
 
How Accurate are Carbon Emissions Projections?
How Accurate are Carbon Emissions Projections?How Accurate are Carbon Emissions Projections?
How Accurate are Carbon Emissions Projections?
 
Crea il tuo assistente AI con lo Stregatto (open source python framework)
Crea il tuo assistente AI con lo Stregatto (open source python framework)Crea il tuo assistente AI con lo Stregatto (open source python framework)
Crea il tuo assistente AI con lo Stregatto (open source python framework)
 
Machine Learning Model Validation (Aijun Zhang 2024).pdf
Machine Learning Model Validation (Aijun Zhang 2024).pdfMachine Learning Model Validation (Aijun Zhang 2024).pdf
Machine Learning Model Validation (Aijun Zhang 2024).pdf
 

AI-Powered Robots for Libraries: Exploratory Questions

  • 1. AI-Powered Robots for Libraries: Exploratory Questions Bohyun Kim CTO for the Univ. Libraries & Associate Professor, University of Rhode Island, USA IFLA WLIC Satellite Meeting, Berlin, Germany, 
 August 21-22, 2019,
  • 2. We will discuss… 1. What counts as a ‘Robot’? 2. General concerns about the adoption of robots 3. Robots for libraries
  • 3. 1. ‘Robot’ Appearance like a human? A physical body? Intelligent / smart? What counts as a robot?
  • 4. Candidates Anything that can be programmed to move, no matter how simple Software designed to automate tasks How to distinguish a robot from a typical machine or software?
  • 5. A Working Definition “A machine, situated in the world, that senses, thinks, and acts” 
 
 — from George Bekey, “Current Trends in Robotics: Technology and Ethics,” in Robot Ethics: The Ethical and Social Implications of Robotics, eds. Patrick Lin, Keith Abney, and George Bekey (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2012), p.18.
  • 6. ‘Embodied’ Take in sensory input from the surroundings; process it for a cognitive task; and act upon the physical world. Need sensors; Need some cognitive capability to process the input from the environment and to determine the response or an action; Need actuators, which allow it to physically act upon the environment.
  • 7. AI-Powered Robots Intelligent and autonomous in performing not only mechanical but also cognitive tasks The capability of AI-powered robots far exceeds that of other simpler and less sophisticated machines.
  • 8. Robots & Humans No consciousness, desire, motive, or other mental states Human tendency to anthropomorphize The adoption of robots raises interesting and unique concerns.
  • 9. 2. General Concerns Safety Morality Human-Robot Relationship & Social Norms Manipulation / Deception
  • 10. (a) Safety Harming humans either by accident or while trying to achieve its goal? A kill switch & an override option
  • 11. Levels of Autonomy General AI vs. Weak/Narrow AI ‘human-in-the-loop’ ‘human-on-the-loop’ ‘human-off-the-loop’
  • 12. Designing a Safe Robot Depends on the specific type of task that it is supposed to perform & the risks associated with the given task. The efficiency and the cost-savings vs. safety concerns
  • 13. (b) Morality With AI’s decision-making capability, to what use should we put those AI systems & how much control should we allow them to have?
  • 14. Trolley Problem Once a thought experiment Now an engineering problem Applied to military robots?
  • 15. Issues & Solutions Machine morality What level of autonomy & ethical sensitivity is a robot equipped with? What level of machine morality would be feasible and appropriate for a given robot? The impact of having robots as another social agent in our world
  • 16. (c) Human-Robot Relationship Projecting human qualities onto a robot Emotional attachment Can be beneficial if those help to fulfill the robot’s intended use Can be harmful to the robot user and impede its intended function
  • 17. Intended Use Those who build a robot: 
 What type of relationship is the robot supposed to form with its user for optimal functioning? Robot users: 
 Need to be aware of the fact that a robot may be designed to elicit anthropomorphic projection to perform its function.
  • 18. (d) Manipulation More robots in a personal environment such as homes and care facilities Playing a social role such as a companion and a caretaker Many will treat them as social agents either consciously or unconsciously.
  • 19. Abuse/Deception by Robot Manufacturers Charging an exorbitant amount of fee for a care robot’s software upgrade Programming a robot to suggest a purchase to its user Mishandling personal and private information that a user confides to the robot
  • 20. Issues Manipulation and deception through a robot is particularly pernicious because it preys on people’s natural inclination of caring about other social agents. Is a robot to be treated as a social agent or a mere tool/thing? What about the mistreatment of a robot?
  • 21. 3. Robots for Libraries AuRoSS, a robotic shelf scanning 
 system, Singapore Nao robots - Westport Public Library, USA Finch robots - Chicago Public Library, USA Robot Day - San Diego Public Library, USA
  • 22. Areas for Robot Adoption Greeting & Directions University of Pretoria, South Africa
 - ‘Libby’ Access Services Reference University of Oklahoma, USA - Alexa Reader's advisory service A reading robot - ‘Luka’
  • 23. Human-Robot Interactions at Libraries The role of an assistant and a companion that help library users with accomplishing a variety of tasks Likely to be positive and friendly How would the previous concerns apply to library robots?
  • 24. A Library is … A safe space mentally and physically Free/equal access to information to the public Empowers people through knowledge Protects people’s intellectual freedom Helps people exercise their right to pursue information and knowledge privately without being monitored or surveilled by a third party
  • 25. Guidelines for Library Robots Stricter guidelines for library robots involved in library patrons’ information-seeking activities?
  • 26. Future More sophisticated, versatile, and autonomous robots at our homes, workplaces, and libraries. Neither our society nor the library yet fully understands how the wide adoption of robots will affect us. As a new type of social agent, robots will generate a lot of interesting questions.