Robots In EU Could Soon Be Recognized As 'Electronic Persons'

Robots in Europe may soon be classified as "electronic persons" if the European Union adopts a recently submitted proposal. Owners of these robots would be liable to paying social security on each robot in an unprecedented step meant to address the rising presence of robotic workers in the EU. The proposal calls for "the creation of a European Agency for robotics and artificial intelligence in order to provide the technical, ethical and regulatory expertise." Robots are being used in exponentially greater numbers in factories and also taking on tasks ranging from surgery to manufacturing and even personal care. Robots are becoming so ubiquitous that there are growing fears over unemployment, wealth inequality and alienation.