Based upon the current state of the art of robotics applications, which industries are most likely to embrace robotics? Why?

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1. Based upon the current state of the art of robotics applications, which industries are most likely to embrace robotics? Why?

2. Watch the following two videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHc63Xgc0-8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggN8wCWSIx4 for a different view on impact of AI on future jobs. What are your takeaways from these videos? What is the more likely scenario in your view? How can you prepare for the day when humans indeed may not need to apply for many jobs?

3. There have been many books and opinion pieces written about the impact of AI on jobs and ideas for societal responses to address the issues. Two ideas were mentioned in the chapter – UBI and SIS. What are the pros and cons of these ideas? How would these be implemented?

4. There has been much focus on job protection through tariffs and trade negotiation recently. Discuss how and why this focus may or may not address the job changes coming due to robotics and AI technologies.

5. Laws rely on incentive structures to encourage prosocial behavior. For example, criminal law encourages compliance by punishing those who break the law. Patent law incentivizes creation of new technologies by offering inventors a period of limited monopoly during which they can exclusively use their invention. To what extent do these (and other) incentives make sense when applied to AI? How can incentive structures be created to encourage AI devices to behave in prosocial manners?

6. To what extent do extralegal considerations come into play with regard to the above issues? Are there moral (or religious) dimensions to be considered when determining whether AI should be given rights similar to those of a person? Would AI-assisted law enforcement or court action erode faith in the criminal justice system and judiciary?

7. Adopting policies that maximize the value of AI encourages future development of these technologies. Such a course, however, is not without drawbacks. For instance, determining that a “robot tax” is not a preferred policy choice would increase the incentive to adopt a robot workforce and improve any relevant technologies. Elevating the state of robotics is a laudable goal, but in this instance, it would come at the anticipated cost of reduced public funds. How should trade-offs such as these be evaluated? Where should encouragement of technological progress (especially regarding AI) fall in the hierarchy of government priorities?

8. Conduct online research to find at least one new robotics application in customer service. Prepare a brief summary of your research: the problem addressed, technology summary, results achieved if any, and lessons learned.