PHILOSOPHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES OF INTEGRATION OF SMART ROBOTS INTO SOCIETY

Abstract

Problem setting. Today we find ourselves in a new reality in which robots challenge social norms. The judgment that humans can and should share the same environment as robotic artifacts is increasingly being discussed in scientific circles. As technology continues to advance, the debate in society is intensifying on the question of how we should treat intelligent robots and how to integrate them into our public and social life, where are the limits of their use, etc.? The discussions and debates that are taking place around the topic of robot rights in academic circles among experts in philosophy, law, and politics demonstrate the huge differences in possible approaches to this issue. Some experts believe it is useful to involve the public in the discussion of robot rights and conduct online surveys to study the opinions of lay people about robot rights. Some researchers provide arguments in favor of robot rights on philosophical, ethical, and legal grounds, while others refute such arguments, arguing that machines are not things that can be granted or denied rights. In this regard, experts voiced many reservations about the use, rights, and capabilities of robots, etc. Analysis of recent researches and publications. Many countries around the world are adopting legislation to regulate the development, deployment, and use of smart robots. Problems related to artificial intelligence technologies in the philosophical, ethical and legal contexts are the subject of research by Ukrainian scholars, in particular, O. Baranov, A. Bezhevets, E. Bodnar, O. Holovko, O. Kosilova, O. Kotliarenko, Y. Kryvytskyi, L. Prypolova, H. Solodovnikova, O. Radutnyi, Y. Kharytonov, O. Kharytonova and others. Purpose of the research is to analyze the trends and contradictions that arise in society in connection with the creation, use, and interaction of people with smart robots, which are potential rights holders. Article’s main body. The article argues that the issue of integrating smart robots into society requires an interdisciplinary approach. It is demonstrated that the issue of robot rights prompts the study of the potential metaphysical consequences of communication between humans and robots, and highlights the issues of classification of non-human subjects and attitudes towards them. It is emphasized that the topic of robot rights is being actively discussed among experts in the field of philosophy, law, and politics with a view to legal regulation of intelligent robotic artifacts, and the problems of their creation, use, or interaction in the philosophical and legal context are being actively discussed. The discussions and debates that are taking place in academic circles demonstrate huge differences in possible approaches to this issue. The author shows that the recognition of certain rights for smart robots may not only affect technological progress, but also lead to a rethinking of the philosophical foundations of law. The author highlights the trends and contradictions that arise in society in connection with the creation, use and interaction of people with smart robots – potential rights holders. In this regard, three main approaches to the issue of robot rights are analyzed: 1) through the creation and application of the concept of “electronic person”; 2) an approach that assumes the existence of moral rights of robots; 3) a socio-relational approach. It is found that the socio-relational approach is considered to be human-centered. It is shown that in order for policies and rules to be developed in the public interest, a methodology for theoretical and empirical justification of the rights and obligations of robots as their roles expand is needed, which will help to identify the differences between the parties to the process from the establishment of certain norms and practices. Conclusions and prospects for the development. Discussions and debates around the integration of smart robots into society and their rights demonstrate significant differences in possible philosophical, ethical and legal approaches to this issue, and also indicate the lack of a complete consensus on it, both among scientists and the public. With the development and improvement of smart robotic technologies, questions about their use are gradually moving from the plane of functionality to higher-order issues, including social well-being, justice and prosperity of society and individuals. The issue of robot rights, as a challenge of our time, requires an interdisciplinary approach. Recognition of certain rights for smart robots will not only affect technological progress, but will also lead to a rethinking of the philosophical foundations of law.