There has been quite a stir around the world with the news that the San Francisco Police Department is going to have a robot capable of carrying explosives and causing them to detonate in the proximity of criminals, causing their death.
The origin of this commotion is something that surprises me, because the "problem" is not that a robot carries a bomb with it, but to clearly define in which cases said device is used, and above all who controls the possible explosion of that bomb.
Robots are "generic" devices that are used for a multitude of different applications, and depending on the need to be solved, so is the robot that performs it. And the most important thing about a robot is its control, and especially how it is exercised and carries it out.
For simple tasks with little risk, such as cleaning a house, it does not matter if the control is carried out by the machine itself, but when there may be a serious risk to people, it is important that the control is exercised by a person who is well trained in its use.
The one in the photo is one of many robots that have been submitted to the world's police forces. They are all quite similar, and it is about being able to approach the criminals in order to reduce them, without putting the lives of the policemen at risk.
And something similar to the above.but having taken it a step further in San Francisco, giving a robot the possibility of carrying an explosive, and in case of need, being able to approach criminals to make it explode.
I do not share the criticism that has been generated as long as control of the entire system is in the hands of a person well trained in its management, and capable of making decisions that protect the security forces to minimize risks.
As an example, in 2016, the Dallas (Texas) police used a robot with an explosive to kill a sniper who had killed two police officers and injured others. And I think its use was a success.
The technologies are to be used with adequate guarantees that they are used for the benefit of society as a whole.
I am very clear that robots will continue to be used in more applications every day, and the important thing is that we make sure that their control is in our hands, and that if there is any risk to people, the ultimate decision is not made by a machine using Artificial Intelligence technologies, but by a human being.
People must continue to be responsible for defending people's lives. And Technology can and should be an ally.
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