Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Health care technology is all the rage, and artificial intelligence (AI) has long since made its inroads into the previously human-dominated domain of care. AI is used in diagnostics, but also in therapy and assistance, sometimes in the form of social robots with fur, eyes and programmed emotions. Patient welfare, working conditions for the caretakers and cost-efficiency are routinely said to be improved by employing new technologies. The old with dementia might be provided with a robot seal, or a humanoid companion robot, and if these companions increase the happiness of the patients, why should we not venture down this road? Come to think of it, when we have these machines, why not use them as tutors in our schools and caretakers for our children? More happiness reported, as our children are entertained, well-nourished, well-trained and never alone. Lovely and loving robots have also been made, and happiness abounds when these are provided to lonely adults. Happiness all around, and a hedonistic heaven – the utilitarian’s dream, as reported, or measured, well-being reaches all-time highs. But there is a reason to be wary of this development. The logic that allows this development ultimately leads to the conclusion that we would all be best off if we could simply be wired to a computer that provided us with whatever we needed to feel perfectly satisfied. The care-giving machines are here.
Highlights
Health care technology is all the rage, and artificial intelligence (AI) has long ago made its inroads into the domain of care
The old with dementia might be provided with a robot seal, or a humanoid companion robot, and if these companions increase the happiness of the patients, why should we not venture down this road?
Mordoch et al (2013) remind us that ‘human contact is a critical component of care’ and this means that there are several important ethical aspects to consider with regard to social robots
Summary
Health care technology is all the rage, and artificial intelligence (AI) has long ago made its inroads into the domain of care. Some of the AIs are robots—embodied artificial intelligence—in human, animal, or another form These robots are more than cold steel, . I argue that replacing an industry worker with a robot is not the same as replacing a caretaker with a robot, and that the logic that allows this development leads to the conclusion that we would all be best off if we could be wired to a machine that provided us with whatever we needed to feel perfectly satisfied. In the not too distant future, a lot of us will be both old and demented, but the social robots might be coming for us even before we get that far. Burr et al (2019) discuss the ethics of ‘digital wellbeing’, and ‘the impact of digital technologies on what it means to live a life that is good for a human being’. The challenge of trying to understand where we will end up if hedonism and consequentialism are allowed to guide our employment of technology
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
