A new U.S. patent has been issued for the “Ten Ethical Laws of Robotics” (# 6,587,846), a system that radically expands upon previous ethical-AI systems: most notably, Isaac Asimov’s “Three Laws of Robotics” (an earlier Sci-Fi construct that aimed to to rein-in the potential conduct of a futuristic AI-robot. Although Asimov’s system of safeguards proves intriguing in a Sci-Fi sense, it nevertheless remains simplistic in its dictates: a drawback fortunately remedied through the Ten Ethical Laws, that target the enduring conflict pitting virtue vs. vice (a master system composed of over 320 individual terms). Indeed, these Ten Ethical Laws also enjoy applications to a human sphere of influence, perhaps even someday rivaling the closest competing system; namely, the “Ten Commandments.” A complete listing of the Ten Ethical Laws is posted at: www.ethicalvalues.com

A recently issued U.S. patent concerning ethical artificial intelligence titled: Inductive Inference Affective Language Analyzer Simulating AI (patent # 6,587,846) introduces the newly proposed concept of the Ten Ethical Laws of Robotics: a system which radically expands upon previous ethical-robotic systems. As implied in its title, this patent represents the first AI system incorporating ethical/motivational terms: enabling a computer to reason and speak in an ethical fashion, serving in roles specifying sound human judgement. These Ten Ethical Laws directly expand upon Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics, an earlier Science Fiction construct that aimed to rein in the potential conduct of a futuristic AI robot as rules that prohibit harm to come to humans. Indeed, Asimov’s first two laws state that (1) a robot must not harm a human (or through inaction allow a human to come to harm), and (2) a robot must obey human orders (unless they conflict with rule #1). Although this cursory system of safeguards proves intriguing in a Sci-Fi sense, it nevertheless remains simplistic in its dictates, leaving open the specific details for implementing such a system. The newly patented Ten Ethical Laws fortunately remedy such a shortcoming, representing a general overview of the enduring conflict pitting virtue against vice: the virtues of which are initially partially listed below:

Glory/Prudence – Honor/Justice
Providence/Faith – Liberty/Hope
Grace/Beauty – Free-will/Truth
Tranquility/Ecstasy – Equality/Bliss

Dignity/Temperance -Integrity/Fortitude
Civility/Charity – Austerity/Decency
Magnanim./Goodness – Equanimity/Wisdom
Love/Joy – Peace/Harmony

The Ten Ethical Laws are written in a positive style of formal mandate, focusing on the virtues to the necessary exclusion of the corresponding vices. The purely virtuous mode (by definition) is fully cognizant of the contrasting realm of the vices, without necessarily responding in kind. Furthermore, the corresponding hierarchy of the vices listed below contrasts point-for-point with the respective virtuous mode (the overall patent is actually composed of 320 individual terms).

Infamy/Insurgency – Dishonor/Vengeance
Prodigal/Betrayal – Slavery/Despair
Wrath/Ugliness – Tyranny/Hypocrisy
Anger/Abomination -Prejudice/Perdition

Foolishness/Gluttony – Caprice/Cowardice
Vulgarity/Avarice – Cruelty/Antagonism
Oppression/Evil – Persecution/Cunning
Hatred/Iniquity – Belligerence/Turpitude

With such ethical safeguards firmly in place, the AI computer is formally prohibited from expressing the corresponding vices, allowing for a truly flawless simulation of virtue. Indeed, these Ten Ethical Robotic Laws hold the potential for further applications to a human sphere of influence, perhaps someday even rivaling the closest competing system; namely, the Ten Commandments. Accordingly, the complete listing of the Ten Ethical Laws is posted at: www.angelfire.com/rnb/fairhaven/ethical-laws.html – Although only a cursory outline of applications is possible at this juncture, a more detailed treatment of the patent is posted at: www.ethicalvalues.com
The inventor is also available for interviews-clarifications through the contact venues listed below.

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EDITORIAL & INTERVIEW CONTACT:
John E. LaMuth – M. S.
Phone: 877-342-6657
fax: 586-314-5960
P.O. Box 105 Lucerne Valley, CA 92356
values@charactervalues.com
http://www.ethicalvalues.com