The ethical dilemma of self-driving cars - Patrick Lin
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-ethical-dilemma-of-self-driving-cars-patrick-lin Self-driving cars are already cruising the streets today. And while these cars will ultimately...
========== This is a thought experiment. Let's say at some point
in the not so distant future, you're barreling down the highway
in your self-driving car, and you find yourself boxed in
on all sides by other cars. Suddenly, a large, heavy object
falls off the truck in front of you. Your car can't stop in time
to avoid the collision, so it needs to make a decision: go straight and hit the object, swerve left into an SUV, or swerve right into a motorcycle. Should it prioritize your safety
by hitting the motorcycle, minimize danger to others by not swerving, even if it means hitting the large object
and sacrificing your life, or take the middle ground
by hitting the SUV, which has a high passenger safety rating? So what should the self-driving car do? ...