In this essay I add some details and reflections on a panel discussion, hosted by Edinburgh Futures Institute, among five experts on what it means to ‘live well’ with robots. The conversation explored the technical, moral, social and economic dimensions of the oft-promised ‘robot revolution’. This is a live document and I’ll continue to update the essay as my thinking evolves.
Will human beings ever embrace robots as a daily part of our social and economic lives?
What would it mean to live well with robots?
How can we ensure that robot design and development is driven by and aligned with our fundamental human needs, such as security and social connection?
Where are robots already transforming our lives in ways we may not recognize, and which of our ideas about robots remain mere science fiction fantasies?
Where can tomorrow’s robots make the world a better place, and most importantly, better for whom?