Ethics of robotics:
autonomous systems and their moral duties

When you hear the word “robot” what is the first thing that comes to mind? For some people it’s old movies with shiny metal people, for others it’s an ordinary vacuum cleaner that buzzes around the apartment. But today, robots have become more than just mechanisms. They make decisions that used to be solely in the hands of humans. And then the question arises: can we trust machines with something so important?

Technology has come a long way. Autonomous machines, from unmanned cars to robotic surgeons, are no longer just handy tools. They are intervening in situations where before we wouldn’t have thought about the morality of the issue. How, for example, will an autonomous car choose whom to save in the inevitable accident? These are questions that need to be answered, because technology is advancing faster than society can comprehend.

Can a machine be taught to act “humanly”?

Ethics has always been something shaped by society, culture, family. But can a “machine be educated”? It’s hard to imagine that you can just take the concepts of good and evil and put them into its algorithms.

At first glance, everything seems simple: program the robot to choose the optimal solution. But what if there is no perfect outcome? For example, a self-driving car might face a difficult choice: hit a pedestrian or crash into a wall and put its passengers at risk. This is reminiscent of the famous ethical problem about the trolley bus: which harm would be less?

But the point is that the machine’s decisions are based on its algorithms. And who is in charge of those algorithms? Humans. And if the programming is flawed or inadequate, the consequences can be tragic.

Who’s to blame, robot or human?

If the robot makes a mistake, who is responsible? Imagine the situation: an unmanned car is involved in an accident. Is the owner of the car, who trusted it, to blame? Or the manufacturer who developed an imperfect algorithm? Maybe the programmer who laid down a certain logic? Or the car itself?

The problem of responsibility presents us with an unexpected dilemma. When a human being makes a mistake, it is perceived as inevitable, because no one is perfect. A robot’s mistake, on the other hand, is a different matter. People expect a machine to be better than us. After all, it’s not just a device, it’s a product of collective intelligence, technology and science.

And yet, we tend to attribute not only responsibility but also intentions to robots. If the smart assistant in your phone decides not to remind you of something important because “you’re too tired”, that might seem like caring. But if a machine decides something for us in a situation where its decision carries life or death consequences, are we willing to accept it?

Universal principles: how to harmonize morality for all?

People from different parts of the world have very different ideas about morality. Even within the same society, there can be heated debates on ethical topics. For example, euthanasia: in some countries it is permissible, in others it is strictly forbidden. How can we expect a robot to make the right decision in a world where we ourselves cannot agree?

Developers are trying to embed ethical principles into machines. One approach is to make them utilitarian, that is, aimed at maximizing benefits for as many people as possible. But this approach runs into problems: whose life is more important? And if a minority suffers as a result, is it worth the common good?

And here we come to a question that many people would rather not ask: is it even possible to teach a machine to be moral if we ourselves don’t always know what is right?

Ethics or emotion?

There is a view that robots can never be truly ethical. After all, they act strictly according to an algorithm, without feelings or empathy. But on the other hand, modern technology is increasingly surprising in its “humanity”. For example, artificial intelligence systems are already analyzing data in such a way that their decisions seem reasonable and even “compassionate”.

However, trusting a machine to make a moral decision is different. A robot may understand what is beneficial, but is it capable of feeling regret or realizing that its choices have affected someone’s life? It’s hard to imagine this ever becoming a reality. But who knows?

Who should decide for cars?

One of the most pressing issues is not only how to teach robots morality, but who exactly will make the rules. Cultural, religious and political differences are so great that there are simply no uniform standards. What is considered normal in one country may be completely unacceptable in another.

Some have suggested creating international agreements to regulate these issues. But such agreements are a complex process, and there is always the risk that someone will decide to violate them for their own interests. It makes us wonder whether we are not creating a system that we cannot control.

Ethics and progress: where is the balance?

Technology is moving forward and there is no stopping it. Robots are becoming part of our lives, and in time they will play an even bigger role. But are we keeping up with this progress? Are we prepared for the consequences of their decisions?

Progress is impossible without risk, it’s true. But if we leave ethical questions unanswered, the consequences can be catastrophic. On the other hand, excessive caution can stall development. So where is the balance to be found?

The ethics of robotics is a challenge that cannot be ignored. Machines are increasingly involved in our lives, and we must not only teach them “to work” but also “to think” with our values in mind. Questions remain, and it’s unlikely we’ll find all the answers right now. But one thing is clear: the future of technology depends on how ready we are to integrate it into our world.