With AI technology in the news almost constantly these days, this book - published nearly 73 years ago - has left me with questions, concerns, and many things to think about when it comes to robots and AI.
It is one of those books perhaps we should all be reading, re-reading, and talking about right now.
…You don't remember a world without robots. There was a time when humanity face the universe alone and without a friend. Now he has creatures to help him; stronger creatures than himself, more faithful, more useful, and absolutely devoted to him. Mankind is no longer alone. - I, Robot
I am very excited about the future of robots and AI. But I must admit, I am also a bit nervous as well.
Isaac Asimov was deeply thinking and imagining possibilities more than seventy years ago. In I, Robot he presents the three laws of robotics, writes stories that show problems that might arise, and the shows ethics involved in robots and AI.
“‘Oh, are robots so different from men, mentally?'
'World's different.' She allowed herself a frosty smile. 'Robots are essentially decent."' - I, Robot
This is one of those books where I actually saw the movie first. This has happened only a handful of times in the past and has ruined my reading of a novel (I’m looking at you Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). And yet, several things aligned that caused me to finally get and read this book:
The three things that prompted me to pick up this book:
1 – We Live in Science Fiction Times.
It seems like we are living in ‘science fiction’ times. Even last year we were hearing about Elon Musk building humanoid robots and many others around the world are doing so as well so I don’t think a future with robots is far off.
This is probably why I found myself wandering into the science fiction area of the bookstore to browse when I saw this book.
Generally, science fiction is not a genre I read a lot of – I’ve read only a few things: Ender’s Game, Ready Player One, and Jurassic Park (hey, it was in the science fiction section of the bookstore so I’m counting it as SF). All of those novels were great, though (and I recommend them highly), so my experience of the science fiction genre is stellar and am willing to read more.
2- I loved the cover of the book when I saw it in the bookstore.
I know, right? Seriously. I love cover art on books and will admit I do occasionally judge a book by its cover (at least enough to pick it up).
Well, the cover art of this book caught my attention. I’m glad it did because I picked it up, loved it, bought it, read it, and wasn’t disappointed.
3 – I loved the movie and have seen it multiple times.
This was the final reason for deciding to buy and read this book. As I mentioned above I saw the movie first. What I didn’t mention was that I loved the movie and have seen it multiple times.
One of my favorite scenes in this movie is when Will Smith is interviewing the Robot:
Will Smith: “You are a clever imitation of life… Can a robot write a symphony? Can a robot turn a canvas into a beautiful masterpiece?”
Sonny (the robot) pauses and replies: “Can you?”
(Me: Seriously, it’s a valid question Will. I vote this is one of the best come backs of all time!)
Just keep in mind, the book is nothing like the movie. Which is probably why I still was able to enjoy the book so much as well. I didn’t know what was going to happen.
To you, a robot is a robot. Gears and metal; electricity and positrons. - Mind and iron! Human-made! If necessary, human-destroyed! But you haven't worked with them so you don't know them. They're a cleaner breed than we are.
This book is a series of short stories. Certain characters will show up in the the stories throughout the book: Dr. Lanning (the creator), Dr. Calvin (the robopsychologist), ___ and Donovan. Each short story features a situation concerning a robot. Each situation is one in which the robot usually as “gone wrong” and they must figure out what is going on and how to fix it.
Why I can't stop thinking about this book ever since I finished it:
In this novel, the creator of robots, Dr. Lanning, really spent time thinking about the consequences of AI intelligence. Which is why he came up with the 3 Laws of Robots.
THE THREE LAWS OF ROBOTICS:
- First Law – A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
- Second Law – A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
- Third Law – A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Why is this important? Well, Dr. Calvin puts it best in the novel when she says this:
“All normal life, Peter, consciously or otherwise, resents domination. If the domination is by an inferior, or by a supposed inferior, the resentment becomes stronger. Physically, and, to an extent, mentally, a robot – any robot – is superior to human beings. What makes him slavish, then? Only the First Law! Why, without it, the first order you tried to give a robot would result in your death.”
Now with that in mind, there is an instance in the novel where the robot refuses to believe that humans made him after two engineers tell him that they put him together a week ago. The robot responds by saying, “For you to make me seems improbable.” The robot decides to take some time and logically think this through.
Later he comes back and says this:
“Look at you”, he said finally. “I say this in no spirit of contempt, but look at you! The material you are made of is soft and flabby, lacking endurance and strength, depending for energy upon the inefficient oxidation of organic material – like that.” He pointed a disapproving finger at what remained of Donovan’s sandwich. “Periodically you pass into a coma and the least variation in temperature, air pressure, humidity, or radiation intensity impairs your efficiency. You are makeshift.“
“I, on the other hand, am a finished product. I absorb electrical energy directly and utilize it with an almost one hundred percent efficiency. I am composed of strong metal, am continuously conscious, and can stand extremes of environment easily. These are facts which, with the self-evident proposition that no being can create another being superior to itself, smashes your silly hypothesis to nothing.”
I kind of chuckled after reading that part because you can actually see where the robot was coming from. I suppose, if I were the robot, I would think that as well. This presents something interesting. We are mortal and – according to this robot – inefficient. With that in mind along with Dr. Calvin’s statement, why wouldn’t robots revolt against humans who only want to use them?
Asimov was considering these things deeply over seventy years ago – are we doing the same today? Or, have we forgotten these considerations in our race to create new technology?
Do we need to consider something like the three laws when creating robots today? If AI were to reach a sort of consciousness, would the three laws be unethical? Like creating slaves?
This is why I can’t stop thinking about this book and why it is still on my mind long after turning over the last page.
We live in exciting times.
“Actions such as his could come only from a robot, or from a very honorable and decent human being. But you see, you just can't differentiate between a robot and the very best of humans."
Final Thoughts
This book is worth your time – especially in our day and age. It is a great read and well written. It is worth reading these stories and the questions they explore about robots and technology. It makes for great discussion.
Highly recommend.
I continue to be more excited than fearful when it comes to robots and AI.
Hopefully, I will get to live long enough to experience a world where human-like robots are common and just another member of the family. A very smart, very strong, very helpful, and very cool member of the family.
“People say 'it's as plain as the nose on your face.' But how much of the nose on your face can you see, unless someone holds up a mirror to you?
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