EU Will Make Robots Registered Taxpayers

The European Parliament is very much aware of the advancements made in robotics and machine learning. So, they are getting ready for the moment when robots will “steal” jobs and become regular co-workers. A recent document with suggestions on how to treat robots in the near future is bound to displease future owners #machinemagic

“Within the space of a few decades [artificial intelligence] could surpass human intellectual capacity in a manner which, if not prepared for, could pose a challenge to humanity’s capacity to control its own creation and … the survival of the species,” the draft states. With that in mind, the European Parliament has given some suggestions on how to treat robots in the future.

For one, they will have to be registered with authorities and hold responsible for any damage they cause, including loss of people’ jobs. If the number of robot workers increases significantly, they will need to be viewed as “regular citizens” in the society, meaning they will have to pay taxes or contribute to social security. These will be some of the new rules robot owners will have to abide to.

Later this year, the report might reach the full European Parliament for a vote of approval but it could take some time until the European Commission takes a stand in this matter.