Re: Last Letter Conversation XXI
Let's examine the Laws themselves though, shall we?
1. A robot shall not harm humans, or by inaction allow them to come to harm.
2. A robot shall obey all orders given to them by humans, unless the orders conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot shall protect its own wellbeing except when it would conflict with the First or Second Laws.
The problem comes with the First Law, which supersedes all else, wherein a robot (or AI) cannot allow "harm" to befall humankind. The Three Laws being ironclad and immutable, the "solution" put forth by The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect becomes invalid, as the AI in that story was able to allow for deviations - something that a computer mind should be unable to do as that implies a level of human empathy, a trait machines lack by definition.
I'm not quite certain this makes sense or remained on topic, but my scattering of thoughts to reach a conclusion gets worse when I'm tired. Apologies. I'll attempt to rework this tomorrow afternoon if I'm able.