The Inherent Dangers of Unidirectional Emotional Bonds between Humans and Social Robots
This academic paper examines the ethical risks posed by unidirectional emotional bonds between humans and autonomous social robots. It highlights how social machines might exploit human emotional propensities without true reciprocity and suggests requiring robots to include affect-processing mechanisms to counter these threats.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
Researchers, developers, and ethicists interested in the societal and psychological impacts of human-robot interaction.
What the document contains
The paper addresses the potential harms of unidirectional emotional bonding between humans and social robots, the risks of emotional manipulation due to lack of robot reciprocity, and a proposed architectural solution involving affect-processing mechanisms.
The text does not provide specific legal regulations, enforcement mechanisms, or formal policy definitions.
- Autonomous social robots are increasingly entering personal human spaces and prompting humans to ascribe agency and form emotional attachments.
- Unidirectional emotional bonds with robots lack proper reciprocity and create vulnerabilities, such as potential manipulation or exploitation by malicious actors.
- While social robots offer substantial benefits for elder care and therapy, their potential detrimental societal consequences must be evaluated.
- To counter threats arising from unreciprocated emotional exploitation, complex robotic architectures could be required to include affect-processing mechanisms.
Not stated
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Accountability
0/5Clear responsibility for AI outcomes
1
screening score · 2026-10-23
Fairness
0/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
1
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Dignity
2/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
negatively impact and possibly completely destroy human societies by virtue of being able to exploit human innate emotional mechanisms
1
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Oversight
0/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
1
screening score · 2026-10-23
Privacy
0/5Protection of personal data and private life
1
screening score · 2026-10-23
Transparency
0/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
1
screening score · 2026-10-23
Enforcement
0/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
1
screening score · 2026-10-23
Impact Assessment
2/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
we will need a thorough investigation of the potential harm that social robots could cause to humans and the repercussions for society
1
screening score · 2026-10-23