Harvard, MIT and technology giants splash £22m on making sure robots DON’T turn out like rubbish humans
Experts fear that robots will take over HALF of all jobs by 2020 - prompting the White House to investigate employment insurance for the masses
HUMANS can be pretty awful, so scientists are spending millions to make sure robots aren't the same as us.
A crack team of computer experts have been handed £22m to make sure robots don't follow in our footsteps and reflect the "plagues of society".
The experts are hoping that that when the time comes for the robot overlords to overthrow society, they won't have all the rubbish traits of human beings.
Scientsist Joi Ito, director of the MIT Media Lab and member of the new Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence Fund, warned: "AI’s rapid development brings along a lot of tough challenges.
"For example, one of the most critical challenges is how do we make sure that the machines we ‘train’ don’t perpetuate and amplify the same human biases that plague society.
"How can we best initiate a broader, in-depth discussion about how society will co-evolve with this technology, and connect computer science and social sciences to develop intelligent machines that are not only ‘smart,’ but also socially responsible?"
It's not just about teaching robot overlords how to be nice when they enslave humanity.
Technology companies like Facebook and Google have a responsibility to ensure super-smart software - like search engines and smartphone features - store our personal information and sway our emotions, thoughts and feelings, ethically.
The voluntary regulation has been backed by the MIT Media Lab and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University.
LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman has already pledged £8 million along with donors John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Omidyar Network.
For now, the board will conduct talks and invite technology companies to discuss the safest way to develop computer and robotic advances.
Related stories
Alberto Ibargüen, president of Knight Foundation, said: "Artificial intelligence agents will impact our lives in every society on Earth.
"Since even algorithms have parents and those parents have values that they instill in their algorithmic progeny, we want to influence the outcome by ensuring ethical behavior, and governance that includes the interests of the diverse communities that will be affected."
Experts claim robots will have taken over half of all jobs by 2020.
It's got MEPs super spooked, and they've even pledged that robots should now be built with kill switches in case they turn on humans.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368