The emergence of systems capable of independent reasoning and action raises serious questions about just whose interests they are permitted to serve, and what limits our society should place on their creation and use. Deep ethical questions that have bedeviled philosophers for ages will suddenly arrive on the steps of our courthouses. Can a machine be held accountable for its actions? Should intelligent systems enjoy independent rights and responsibilities, or are they simple property? Who should be held responsible when a self-driving car kills a pedestrian? Can your personal robot hold your place in line, or be compelled to testify against you? If it turns out to be possible to upload your mind into a machine, is that still you? The answers may surprise you.
Kaplan holds a BA in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Chicago (1972), and a PhD in Computer and Information Science (specializing in Artificial Intelligence) from the University of Pennsylvania (1979). He is currently a visiting lecturer at Stanford University, teaching a course entitled "History, Philosophy, Ethics, and Social Impact of Artificial Intelligence" in the Computer Science Department, and is a Fellow at The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, of the Stanford Law School.