Taking things a little bit too far too soon - from Yahoo/Reuters:
Europe's robots to become 'electronic persons' under draft plan
Europe's growing army of robot workers could be classed as "electronic persons" and their owners liable to paying social security for them if the European Union adopts a draft plan to address the realities of a new industrial revolution.
Robots are being deployed in ever-greater numbers in factories and also taking on tasks such as personal care or surgery, raising fears over unemployment, wealth inequality and alienation.
I could see this if they pass the Turing test 100% every time but we are still a good ten years away from that (outside of laboratory curiosities) for installed systems and probably another ten years for autonomous robot systems. And what happens of a specific part breaks and the manufacturer no longer makes it? Will that manufacturer now be charged with negligent manslaughter?
Paying social security? Just like a European - always thinking of the taxes they can levy.
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