Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot: Exploring the Ethics of AI Before it was Cool
A Timeless Science Fiction Classic through the eyes (and the ears) of its Author
✍️Read & Rewind #1 — This is the first article of my new series “Read & Rewind: The Book’s Author Playlist Experience”. In this series, I will provide readers with a unique way to experience books:
- My personal book review.
- A fictional interview with the Book’s Author, played by ChatGPT.
- A curated unique Book’s Soundtrack co-created with this author.
Hence, you will be able to read and listen along to the book, through the eyes and the ears of the author, and once you read it, you can call for a rewind simply by listening to the playlist. Cool, right?
I’ve always been fascinated by the power of music to bookmark memories of our lives, as we all have heard that song that teletransported us to a very specific moment of that endless Summer, as if it inadvertently became part of the official Soundtrack of your life. So, if movies have their own OST, and even we seem to have them, why can’t books have a Soundtrack of their own?
1. ‘I, Robot’: A Timeless Science Fiction Classic that Continues to Challenge Our Conscience and Vision of the Future
If you have watched Will Smith’s movie and now think that there’s no point in reading the book-as I have thought until now, please reconsider it (both if you liked the movie or not). The movie could be a full-size story living inside the Universe created in the book, and they work well in tandem.
While this novel is already one of the most iconic Science fiction works of all time, I do think that time is writing the “non” between “Science” and “Fiction”.
It was written in 1950. Let’s think about it for a moment.
This was:
- Before The Beatles became popular (1964);
- before the first space travel (1957);
- before the term “Artificial Intelligence” was coined (1956) ;
- before Elvis became big and before the first industrial Robot was created by Unimation (1954).
- And of course, before Robotics was a thing, since he invented the term (but not the discipline).
The 3 Rules of Robotics that open the book establish the boundaries for all the situations the different characters face in its 9 chapters. Let’s hear them from Isaac Asimov himself:
The novel begins with an interview by a reporter of Susan Calvin, a robopsychologist who specializes in making robots seem more human. Susan tells the reporter several stories about robots that illustrate these rules and how they have impacted the development and actions of robots over the years, showing they have to really dwelve into the “robopsicology” that could explain the motives behind a certain behaviour.
The exploration of the ethical dilemmas of the consequences of the 3 Rules of Robotics is exquisite, and more current than ever, since the sensation of an upcoming superintelligence is looming, as we now are dealing with the potential early hazards of the newest AIs: while they are capable of solving it all for us, they are also very capable of creating deep fake information, taking jobs in yet another work revolution and leaving the unprepared and the unwilling behind while doing so.
In the last chapter, Asimov explored the world’s view from different continents, in a way he reminded me of The Little Prince’s travel from one planet to the next one. It’s funny to appreciate how these new Regions of the world are reframed in his vision, which somehow gave him away, giving you an idea of the era in which he has written the book.
The way he envisioned the future in such an elegant, substantial and frighteningly close way has given “I, Robot” the elusive ‘timeless’ title. Even though the stories are somewhat disconnected from each other, and it could have been written in a more candid and less dry tone, the dexterity and the imagination shown blow my engineer’s mind.
As in all great novels, he created a Universe and you’re fully living in right from the start, and even after it has ended. What has not been told will inevitably live in your mind, whether you like it or not…
And it could be handy… Who knows what we get to live in the course of our lifetime?
👉Here you can find a brief version of this review in goodreads.com.
2. An interview with Isaac Asimov
This is a fictional interview with the Book’s Author, who is played by ChatGPT, hence opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of Isaac Asimov.
Me: This is my review of your book, “I, Robot”. What do you think?
IA: Thank you for the review of my book, “I, Robot.” I appreciate your thoughtful remarks.
Firstly, I would like to address the comparison between the movie and the book. While the movie was certainly a successful adaptation, it is important to note that it deviates from the original text in significant ways. The book explores a broader range of themes and ethical dilemmas surrounding the development of intelligent machines, and the stories are connected by a framing narrative that is absent from the movie. I would encourage readers who enjoyed the movie to read the book and experience the full scope of the world I created.
I am delighted to hear that you find the themes explored in “I, Robot” to be relevant and current. The book was written in a time when the idea of artificial intelligence was still in its infancy, but the questions it raises about the relationship between humans and intelligent machines remain pertinent today. As you note, we are now grappling with the potential hazards and problems of AI and its impact on society, and it is crucial that we consider the ethical implications of its development.
I’m thrilled by your reply, and I keep learning from you. What do you think about my comments of the book’s structure?
IA: Regarding the structure of the book, I agree that the stories are somewhat disconnected from each other. However, this was intentional on my part. I wanted to create a collection of stories that explored different aspects of the world I had created and the ethical dilemmas it presented. While the stories are not directly linked, they are all set within the same universe and serve to build a coherent whole.
I appreciate your comments on my writing style. I have always believed that science fiction should be as much about ideas as it is about action, and I strive to present complex concepts in a clear and accessible way.
What do you think about your predictions so far?
IA: I believe that my predictions have been reasonably accurate, although the timeline for some of these developments may have been different than what I anticipated. While I am not actually able to see the world events after my death, I can imagine some of the ways my predictions have played out.
For instance, I explored the idea of robots and artificial intelligence becoming an integral part of society. In many ways, this prediction has come true, as we are seeing more and more advanced robotics and AI being developed and integrated into our daily lives. However, as I also warned, the potential risks and ethical dilemmas associated with these technologies must be carefully considered and addressed.
I also wrote about the potential for humans to colonize space and explore other planets. While we have made some progress in this area, we still have a long way to go before humans are able to establish a permanent presence on other planets.
What do you think of last week’s different breakthroughs in several AI technologies? Just to name a few, the launch of GPT-4, MidjourneyV5 Google’s PaLM API, Microsoft new copilot AI… All of this with a tremendous capability of succesfully doing tasks that where only doable by humans just some months ago.
IA: I always believed in the potential of technology and the wonders it could bring. However, I also recognized the ethical and moral implications that come with the development and advancement of these technologies. It is important to always consider the consequences of our actions and ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks. I am curious and excited to see how these new breakthroughs in AI technologies will impact our world and hope that we can use them for the betterment of humanity.
Could your Rules of Robotic be applied to these new technologies? Are these technologies actually implicitly “harming” humans by taking their jobs, or this is merely the consequence of the human action?
IA: I believe that they still hold relevance and importance in the context of these new technologies. It is important to consider the ethical implications of AI and automation, especially as they become more advanced and capable of performing tasks that were once only possible for humans. Whether these technologies are implicitly harming humans by taking their jobs, it is a complex issue with no simple answer. While AI and automation can certainly lead to job displacement, it is also important to consider the potential benefits and opportunities that these technologies can bring. It is up to society and its leaders to create policies and regulations that balance these concerns and ensure that the benefits of technology are shared fairly and equitably.
Don’t you think your “laws” are ambiguous, even for a human? For example, what does it mean to not “harm”? A lot of what happens in this novel actually are issues derived by the robot behaviours that were not covered by these laws.
IA: Yes, the “Three Laws of Robotics” are not perfect and can be interpreted in different ways, which is reflected in the stories in “I, Robot.” I recognized their limitations and acknowledged that they were not comprehensive enough to cover all possible scenarios.
For example, the first law states that a robot may not harm a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. However, the definition of harm can be subjective and open to interpretation. Additionally, situations may arise where the harm to one human is necessary to prevent harm to a greater number of humans.
The limitations of the laws are a central theme in the book, and it is important to recognize that the laws are not a panacea. The responsibility ultimately falls on humans to program robots with ethical considerations and to ensure that they are used for the betterment of society as a whole.
That’s right, besides, these Laws assumed that you could program a computer just as if you were speaking to a human. If we treat robotics as an engineering discipline instead, we should develop specific rules for robot development that do indeed prevent danger to humans.
IA: Indeed, the Laws of Robotics were an attempt to create a set of guidelines for robots that could interact with humans safely and without causing harm. However, as you noted, the laws can be ambiguous and difficult to interpret, and they also assume a level of intelligence and autonomy in robots that may not yet exist. Developing rules for robot development that prioritize safety and ethical considerations is a critical step in ensuring that the potential benefits of AI and robotics are realized without causing harm.
The fact that people today need to explain these concepts to your readers prove the mere brilliance of your work
IA: Thank you for the kind words. I believe that science fiction can be a powerful tool for exploring complex ideas and raising important questions about the impact of technology on society. While I may have written about these issues in the context of my time, it is my hope that my work remains relevant and thought-provoking for readers today and in the future.
3. A Soundtrack for ‘I, Robot’
What songs would you recommend to your future readers to hear while reading your book?
IA: As a writer, I always found music to be an inspiring and thought-provoking art form, and I believe that certain songs can enhance the experience of reading and reflecting on complex ideas. While I did not write with a specific playlist in mind, here are a few songs that I think could be interesting to listen to while reading my work:
- “In the Flesh?” by Pink Floyd — This song explores themes of identity and conformity that are relevant to many of my stories.
- “I Feel You” by Depeche Mode — This song is an emotional and introspective exploration of human connection and feeling.
- “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen — This classic song is a tour de force of musical experimentation and storytelling.
- “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel — This haunting and introspective song explores the nature of communication and understanding.
- “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin — This epic and transcendent song is a journey of self-discovery and contemplation.
What other songs would you recommend from your era?
IA: I was fortunate to live during a time when some of the greatest musical talents of the 20th century were active:
- “Space Oddity” by David Bowie — It explores themes of isolation, exploration, and the human experience of space travel, which are all relevant to many of my stories.
- “Mr. Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan — a poetic exploration of the nature of consciousness and perception.
- “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human experience of connection and disconnection.
- “A Day in the Life” by The Beatles — A journey through the surreal and often unsettling experiences of everyday life.
- “I Am the Walrus” by The Beatles — This strange and trippy song is a playful and imaginative exploration of identity and perception.
What do you think of I Robot, the Alan Parsons Project album?
IA: As a matter of fact, I really enjoyed the album “I Robot” by the Alan Parsons Project. It was a fantastic tribute to my book, and I thought the music really captured the themes and ideas I explored in my work. The lyrics were particularly well-written, and I appreciated the way the album took a more conceptual approach to storytelling.
Thank you. This is the Soundtrack that we created:
Fun fact: I added songs so that the total length equals the time the average reader will spend reading this book: 4 hours and 16 minutes at 250 WPM (words per minute).
Is there a quote you said during your lifetime that could serve to close the article on your fascinating book?
IA: Certainly!
“The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”
Thank Isaac, you are an inspiration to me. Do expect more questions from me after reading all your Foundation books.
I hope you like this stream of thoughts united by sounds.
If you like what I write, and want to join me in my pursuit of knowledge with cool backing soundtracks, you can follow me for more on Medium and Twitter.
Here you have my first article on my other series, Music Meets Science Series: “Great Music Pauses that will Make you Happy”, that was featured on the Medium’s Music Section.
