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@skydancer
Point of view on R4 yesterday discussed the ethical decisions drivers make all the time - Such as...
'Shall I swerve to avoid a lamp-post so not to damage my car and passengers and crash into a cyclist' 'Should I knock over that nurse who stepped in front of me or swerve and crash into that beggar' 'What about swerving to avoid a cat or a squirrel' 'A school bus full of kids or an ambulance'
So self driving cars would need to have an ethical decision making programme for such instances. What values would such an engine be based on. A Utilitarianist engine would have to asses which decision would bring the great net benefit. A christian engine would be programmed to act like jesus. (Not drive the fucking thing in the first place but ride a donkey). A capitalist engine would decide based on the best economic outcome etc.
This is quite a serious issue and equally as relevant to any AI humans create to to perform functions on our behalf.
(wasn't there a film made about this issue.. running knives or something?)