Definitions of Robots and Artificial Intelligence — St.Kitts & Nevis
There is no widespread definition of artificial intelligence or robots. Most complex technologies lack a consensus as to their definitions and the definition of ‘robot’ is no exception. [1]
One basic definition of a robot is that it is “an engineered machine that senses, thinks and acts…” [2] Another definition by Ryan Caro, is that “robots are best thought of as artificial objects or systems that sense, process, and act upon the world to at least some degree.” [3] Caro highlights how this is a mere technical definition and it is important to determine the ‘possibilities and experiences’ and the ‘essential qualities’ of robots. [4] Both these definitions include the requirement that a robot has the ‘ability to sense’ ‘think/process” and “act” demonstrating that there are commonality elements. There is a degree of consensus around the world that “robots are mechanical objects that take the world in, process what they sense, and in turn act upon the world.” [5]
These definitions may be a good starting point to defining robots as they are broadly defined, but they do not take into consideration that jurists may have “outdated views about robots and hence will not be well positioned to address the novel challenges they continue to pose.”[6]
I do believe that the technology is always out-pacing the law often placing jurists in a position to grapple with the legal challenges that new technologies create. Given the complexities of autonomous systems, I don’t think that all jurists (those who are not specialized in robotics) are fully aware of the complexities of robotics and may, therefore, have a limited view of robotics. I think that in order to create ‘legal, regulatory, and ethical framework,’ attorneys specialized in robotics, scientists, psychologists and others must contribute. A broad definition of ‘robot’ allows for flexibility and can perhaps encompass new situations/technologies that arise.
I believe that the focus should be placed on the ‘legal, regulatory and ethical framework’ that governs robots as opposed to striving to reach a universal legal definition as reaching a consensus will be difficult.
[1] Calo, Ryan, “Robotics and the Lessons of Cyberlaw” California Law Review, Vol. 103, №3, pp. 513–63 (2015); University of Washington School of Law Research Paper №2014–08. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2402972 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2402972
[2] Patrick Lin, Keith Abney, George Bekey, (2011) Artificial Intelligence “Robot ethics: Mapping the issues for a mechanized world”
[3] Supra 1 at 529
[4] Calo, Ryan, Robots in American Law (February 24, 2016). University of Washington School of Law Research Paper №2016–04. Available at SSRN:https://ssrn.com/abstract=2737598
[5] Supra 1 at 529
[6] Supra 4 at 5
Smart Not Intelligent: Definitions of Intelligence
There is no universal definition of intelligence. One example of the definition of human intelligence includes; “the ability to comprehend or understand. It is basically a combination of reasoning, memory, imagination,and judgment; each of these faculties relies upon the others. Intelligence is not an entity within a person but a combination of cognitive skills and knowledge made evident by behaviors that are adaptive.” [1]
This definition of intelligence has many commonalities with the definitions provided by in Russel’s and Norvig’s introduction [2], such as the ability to learn from experience, reason, understand and adapt.
‘Legal intelligence’ can be artificial intelligence that practices law.[3] DoNotPay is an online robot lawyer that can draft a letter in situations where you have been wrongly issued a parking ticket and claims a 60% success rate. [3.1] ROSS, the world’s first artificially intelligent attorney, can provide highly relevant answers to legal questions. [4] Lawyers often apply intelligence via ‘proven’ approaches in differing contexts as opposed to ‘bespoke reasoning’[5] and, thus robot lawyers will play an increasing role in the legal system, particularly when it comes to routine tasks.[6] I think this may lead the law to be more transparent and accessible, leaving less room for error and emotions in the decision-making process.
There are no specific laws in St.Kitts & Nevis that refer to intelligence explicitly. However, similar to the Slovenian and French legal systems, the notion of intelligence can be seen in legal concepts. For example, Section 9 of the St.Kitts & Nevis Evidence Act defines a “Lack of Capacity” ‘as a person who is incapable of understanding, a person who is incapable of giving a rational reply to a question. A person is not competent to give evidence if he or she is unfit by reason of his or her mental condition.’ [7] The St. Kitts & Nevis Wills Act also lays out a similar definition of capacity. [8]
I think that the definition of intelligence should not be limited. Intelligence should instead include understanding emotions and body language as being human is to be imperfect and make decisions that are not always rational.
[1] Human intelligence. (n.d.) Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. (2003). Retrieved October 10 2019 from https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Human+intelligence
[2] Russel S & Norvig P. ‘’Introduction to AI: A modern approach’’ (2003) New Jersey, Prentice Hall. Available at: https://people.eecs.berkeley.edu/~russell/intro.html
[3] [3.1] “The World’s First Robot Lawyer” https://donotpay.com accessed 10 October 2019
[4] Ross Intelligence https://rossintelligence.com accessed 10 October 2019
[5] “Celebrating the Past and Embracing the Future: The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court at Fifty”, 1967–2017 By Justice Don Mitchell (Ret) https://www.eccourts.org/eastern-caribbean-supreme-court-fifty-1967-2017-justice-don-mitchell-ret/
[6] Paul Lippe & Daniel M. Katz, “10 predictions about how IBM’s Watson will impact the legal profession’” (2014) The New Normal ABA Journal
[7] Saint Christopher and Nevis Evidence Act (№30 of 2011)
[8] Wills Act (Chapter 84 of the Revised Laws of St. Christopher & Nevis)
