There are three rules of robotics, specifically known as Asimov's Three Laws.
The concept of fundamental rules governing robot behavior was famously introduced by science fiction author Isaac Asimov in his stories. As referenced, "The Three Laws of Robotics (often shortened to The Three Laws or Asimov's Laws) are a set of rules devised by science fiction author Isaac Asimov, which were to be followed by robots in several of his stories."
These laws were created as a literary device to explore the ethical challenges and interactions between humans and intelligent robots. They provide a framework intended to ensure robots operate safely and serve humanity without causing harm.
Asimov's Original Three Laws
Asimov formulated these laws hierarchically, meaning that a robot must prioritize the higher-numbered law unless it conflicts with a lower-numbered one. The standard formulation of the three laws is as follows:
| Law Number | Description |
|---|---|
| First Law | A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. |
| Second Law | A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. |
| Third Law | A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws. |
These laws became a cornerstone of Asimov's robot stories and have profoundly influenced the portrayal of robots and artificial intelligence in subsequent science fiction and discussions about AI ethics in the real world.
