Recent research has shown that advanced killer robots are more likely to be held accountable for civilian deaths compared to military machines.
A study conducted at the University of Essex has revealed that high-tech robots are perceived as more responsible for fatalities in similar situations. Led by Dr. Rael Dawtry from the Department of Psychology, the study emphasizes the impact of autonomy and agency on people’s perceptions.
The research indicates that individuals tend to view robots as more culpable when described in a more advanced manner. The findings, published in The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, aim to inform policymakers as technology progresses.
Dr. Dawtry explained, “As robots become more advanced and autonomous, they are taking on a wider range of tasks with minimal human intervention. This raises concerns about assigning responsibility in cases where autonomous robots pose risks to human safety.”
He continued, “Our study contributes to ongoing discussions about the accountability of robots in various scenarios, including the use of autonomous weapons and human rights issues.”
Throughout the study, Dr. Dawtry presented different scenarios to over 400 participants. In one scenario, participants had to determine whether an armed humanoid robot was to blame for the death of a teenage girl during a raid on a terror compound.
Interestingly, participants were more likely to blame the robot when it was described in more sophisticated terms, even if the outcome was the same.
Additional studies revealed that labeling various devices as ‘autonomous robots’ led individuals to hold them accountable, unlike when they were labeled as ‘machines’.
Dr. Dawtry concluded, “Our findings suggest that the perception of a robot’s autonomy and sophistication influences how much blame is assigned to them. As robots become more advanced or are perceived as such, they are increasingly likely to be seen as responsible for negative outcomes.”
