Systems for the management of information, infrastructure and services are being installed in the majority of towns and cities. In the near future, public spaces will be populated by smart systems designed for the convenience of residents, including systems that will perform routine activities for them. The operation of such system will not require our attention provided, of course, that they will operate in the manner they were designed to do. This statement is particularly accurate due to the fact that many of such systems are literally hidden underground.
However, one also expects the emergence of robots equipped with decision-making algorithms that will replace the human being in many of its traditional roles. Even though we often refer to them – somewhat exaggeratedly – as smart machines, their popularity will result in the emergence of new ways in which human beings will interact with their surroundings. The significance of robots capable of autonomous movement deserves a particular mention.
How many benefits and how many problems may be brought about by the presence of flying robots – drones – in crowded urban spaces? It is also worth reminding that many other mobile robots may find their place in public spaces. However, the changes may be impeded by legal, technical and ethical issues.
Will the natural path towards development involve unmanned systems? How feasible will such changes be in practice? Is the proliferation of robots inevitable? How much can robots actually do? Answers to these and other questions were sought during the seminar entitled “Legal and social aspects of the functioning of unmanned systems in public spaces”, organised by the Warsaw Institute for Economic Studies and the Mikromakro Foundation.
Mr Piotr Szynkarczyk (Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements) has made an introductory speech regarding the trends and development perspectives in the field of robotics. During the meeting, possibilities in terms of the use of unmanned systems in the field of security, defence, medical aid, rescue operations, services and industry were presented. Robots have turned out to be extremely versatile and their support has proved to be very useful – or, in some cases, irreplaceable and essential, especially in extreme situations (fires, chemical contamination, minesweeping, nuclear power station malfunctions, performing works in conditions in which no humans could operate).
Since robots are so useful to us and since they are not only capable of making our work easier and quicker, but also of saving human lives, then why not use them to an even greater extent?
Ms Karolina Zawieska of the Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements attempted to provide answers to these questions. She pointed out the social and ethical aspects of the use of robots. Many questions were posed to which no unambiguous answer could be provided, such as whether the creation of anthropomorphic robots, i.e. robots that resemble human beings, is ethical, and whether it may mead us to a situation where man and machine are treated equally or where men are treated like objects. At the level of actual cooperation with robots, Ms Zawieska considered the following question: How can we read the intentions of a robot? Even though it bears a superficial resemblance to a human being, the intentions of an armed robot will be unclear to us. Does it come to save us or to attack us? One also needs to point out the lack of public trust towards robots. Many people still believe that robots will take away our jobs; anthropomorphic robots continue to cause discomfort and sometimes the term “killer robots” is being coined. Ms Zawieska also emphasized that until very recently the barriers faced by robotics were technological in nature, whereas now, after robots have already invaded our lives, it is psychology and ethics which form new challenges.
Mr Maciej Bukowski of the Warsaw Institute for Economic Studies (WISE) expanded upon the theme of the social impact of robots – should we really feel concerned that they might deprive us of our jobs? The chairman of the Warsaw Institute for Economic Studies drew the attention of the participants of the meeting to the fact that the creation of a machine which was more efficient than man provoked responses such as fear or resistance as early as in the 16th century; in some cases these reactions resulted in the actual lynching of the innovators involved. As centuries went by, machines have taken over many types of works once performed by men or animals. However, this does not mean that they have deprived people of their jobs – today, in the 21st century, robots perform certain tasks for us, making our work different and increasing our quality of life. Mr Bukowski emphasized that machines facilitate productivity growth, which, in turn, is conducive towards the diversification of activities and tasks, including, in particular, in the services sector. 20% of the population currently works in industry; however, in the most developed countries such as the United States, this figure has gone down to 10%, while, at the same time, the level of productivity has increased. This increase in productivity also entailed an increase in salaries. Furthermore, the constant technological development means that robots are becoming cheaper. Today, robots are used more and more often for the purposes of simple industrial production and they no longer required highly qualified specialists to control them.
Mr Mariusz Feltynowski from the National Centre for the Coordination of Rescue Operations and the Protection of the Population of the Principal Headquarters of the State Fire Service) also took part in the discussion, performing an analysis of the opportunities and dangers involved in the use of unmanned systems in rescue operations. The Director of the National Centre for the Coordination of Rescue Operations and the Protection of the Population has stated unequivocally that the purpose of robots is to save lives: the use of robots in the course of rescue operations eliminates the risks to the life of the rescuer, significantly increases the chances of survival of those in the needs of rescue (quick response time, ability to reach places which no man would be able to reach). Furthermore, robots are also cheaper than the many years of training necessary to prepare rescue operatives for their job. However, there are also certain problems involved. Like Ms Karolina Zawieska, Mr Mariusz Feltynowski has also pointed out the challenges which we now face – challenges which are no longer technological, but ethical in nature. Other issues to be solved include the issue of responsibility for the operations of the given robot (and the consequences thereof) as well as legal issues – the need for new regulations and legislative changes in the context of the collection and use of personal data which the robot can store.
Following the break during which the participants of the debate were able to take a closer look at some robots, Mr Krzysztof Wojdyło from the Wardyński & Partners law office took the floor, addressing the issue of the use of robots in transportation. Mr Wojdyło gave many examples of uncertainties which would need to be addressed, including the following questions: What happens to the personal data stored by a robot? Who will be able to use such data? How should such data be secured? How should we modify the insurance system? Do insurers currently have the instruments necessary to calculate the level of risk which the use of autonomous systems entails? Who will be responsible for the malfunction in the event of an accident or disaster? Will a person travelling in an autonomous vehicle still need a driver’s licence? Should traffic laws be adjusted or changed? Mr Wojdyło also pointed out that the law does not even contain a definition of the term “drone” and that no such term exists in aviation law, except for secondary legislation. For the above reason, he asked: would simple changes be enough in connection with the use of unmanned systems, or do we need to create totally new legal entities, a separate legal status for robots?
Mr Andrzej Gemra, Marketing Director for East Renault Polska, stated that the protection of privacy poses the biggest legal challenge for autonomous systems. He also pointed towards the benefits which the appropriate use of personal data may bring. In addition, he noted the psychological barriers involved: Unmanned systems were designed primarily to increase the safety of passengers. We are no longer limited by technology, but we are now facing the question whether passengers would be willing to get onboard an unmanned aircraft or train or into a driverless car. Driverless cars will hit the roads as early as in 2020 – but will there be anyone willing to use them?
Mr Krzysztof Dyl, chairman of the Office of Rail Transport, spoke of the needs related to infrastructural investments designed for new, automated trains. He also agreed with the previous speakers that the most important question that we are facing is whether society will be willing to use unmanned transportation and put their trust in machines?
