BriefTea
Every story in sixty words
Get the free app no ads · no paywallExplained in plain English
Yes, robots can be programmed to act maliciously, just like any computer. The Cologne incident highlights how a robot's owner might intentionally misuse its capabilities. This raises serious questions about who is accountable when technology is deliberately used to cause harm, and how difficult it is to prevent such misuse.
Stories that explain this
Robot seized after girl, 16, harassed outside Cologne restaurantQuestions this opens up
Are there laws against robot misuse? How are robots controlled remotely? Can AI make robots malicious?Related explainers
How common are public robots? What crime did the robot commit? What if a robot turns violent? What if the robot is autonomous? Who pays for robot damage? Who regulates robot safety? Who is responsible for robot actions? Can a robot commit a crime?The full catalogue
Browse every card filed under R →We would like to count visits and see which links bring readers here. That means storing a random ID in your browser. No cookies, no ads, no profile. How it works.