Futurelawyer

Well, Aren't You The Cutest Little Robot?

Police Robots Are A Privacy Nightmare. When Nikki Black linked to the EFF article about the new wave of police robots, I thought, what a cute little guy. It looks like a Conehead grown up. What harm could this guy do? Well, the robots of the future may not have Dalex like gun arms, and they certainly won't go around screaming: "Exterminate"; but, they will be little spies that report on human activity that they deem suspicious. How exactly, will I cross examine this thing? If we want to avoid a "Big Brother" future, we really need to regulate these things. Sometimes, I think that being an old man is a blessing.

Maybe Rolling Robots Really Are The Future Of Law Practice?

5 Years ago, there was a booth at CES which demonstrated rolling robots with screens to allow remote users to participate in group conversations. It occurred to me at the time that the future might include such robots being used in courtrooms for remote participation by lawyers. Now, this appears inevitable in a Pandemic that prohibits much human to human physical interaction. Of course, if one of these falls down, who will be there to pick him up? And, a bad WiFi connection might put a crimp in closing arguments. Still, this demo looks vaguely familiar to a group Zoom call, doesn't it? And, given that CES this year is completely virtual, 2050 has arrived a lot sooner than predicted.

Disney Isn't Mickey Mouse Anymore.

Here's some Monday morning creepiness for you. Disney is getting so good at animatronics that it can mimic human eye movement and head movement and react to human interaction. Combined with advances in AI, there will come a time when we can't tell the difference between AI robots and humans. What exactly is consciousness anyway? Have a pleasant Monday. (Cue the Twilight Zone theme).

I Have An Idea. Let's Replace All Politicians With Robots.

An Automatic House Cleaning Robot? I Don't Need One.

Robots Use AI To Learn To Clean Your House. I would love to learn about the tech behind the Automatic House Robot. But, since I have Diane, I don't need one. She loves to keep the house clean and nice. I am a lucky slob.

What If Our Robot Overlords Are 50 Feet Tall?

I remember a Fifties SciFi movie from my youth about a 50 Foot woman. She terrorized the countryside just by walking around. As a male reaching puberty, I was far more interested in other parts of her anatomy; but, still, now we can build 50 foot robots that move and walk. How far away are we from wars fought completely by robots? While we are all in our houses, cowering in fear over a pandemic, the robots are going to be out tearing up the forests and trees. Give them AI semi consciousness. What could go wrong?

 

Are Robot Jobs Increasing Due To CoronaVirus?

Robot Dog Heads To Work At Ford. If the pandemic has had any beneficial effect, it is that dangerous, dirty jobs are increasingly being handled by robots. As tech and AI advance, the capabilities of human built machines that can react quickly, also advance. However, increased "intelligence" can also serve companies that need scanning and computational and inventory jobs. Robots are ideal for such activity. I, for one, welcome our new robot inventory analysts.

What Do You Do With An AI Robot That Doesn't Get Informed Consent From A Patient?

Artificial Intelligence And Informed Consent. It is a bedrock legal principle. Patients are entitled to be informed about prospective medical treatment, and consent to procedures must be informed. But, all too often, the consent process is given short shrift, even with human doctors and patients. A patient is lucky to have a nurse deliver the paperwork on a clipboard. Of course, it wasn't like I was going to refuse to consent to the triple bypass I was told that I needed. After a heart attack, you will be scared enough to agree to just about anything. I did notice that my odds were 98% in favor of survival; so, I wasn't too worried. But, as AI becomes a more important part of clinical decision making, will the hospital robots deliver the paperwork, and answer questions about the treatment? Whom do you sue, when the informed part of consent comes from a computer? I know, it is the human actors' responsibility ultimately; but, human nature being what it is, what Doctor is going to disagree with an AI? We ascribe limitless knowledge to our computer friends.

But Can It Type?

Well, the future is here. Spot, the robot dog from Boston Dynamics, is for sale. For a tad over $74,500, you can own one of your own. I see this robot serving as a greeter, client intake specialist, and receptionist at the law office of the future. With its front sensors, it can send information to its user via computer or smartphone. Will you join our robot overlords in your office of the future? Human contact limited? 

Preparing Robots For The Future - Humans Will Need To Be Controlled

Boston Dynamics is preparing its robots for a lucrative future in which humans will be herded like sheep. In fact, it is using its robots to herd real sheep. Are you ready for the coming Apocalypse? I, for one, do NOT welcome our robot overlords.