Computers & Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Several years back I read an article that described the development of a bio-chip and the processing power that such a device would have. Couple that with the AI of a lunar or Mars robot probe which reportedly has the intelligence of a 6 year old and you have the beginnings of a whole new socialistic endeavor. . . that of robot rights.
When part of your daily operation of your AI centered PC some bio-substance for nourishment along with the electricity to power it, you take on a far larger perspective of responsibility. Such as, if you forget to "feed" your PC and it starves to death, would you be liable for criminal charges for animal cruelty, neglect, or murder. After all the PC would have all the traits and characteristics of a sentient life form and I bet when the time comes, there will be all sorts of activists rushing to the aid of our poor, mistreated, and abused AI computers . . . there may even be labor laws governing how these intelligent entities can be used which is already the case in Japanese industry where Japanese manufacturers are forced to enroll their production robots into the labor union . . . a meaningful legal precedent on which to base the rights of robots as independent entities.
Just a thought about a possible future of IT.
