AI ACT AND THE ECHO OF ASIMOV'S LAWS OF ROBOTICS. WHEN THE LACK OF LEGAL SOURCES PUSHED THE EU TOWARDS SCIENCE FICTION
We are living in a time of rapid technological advancement, particularly in the field of AI, and more specifically, Generative AI (GAI). As GAI models increasingly permeate everyday life, the urgent need for effective regulation has become apparent. This paper explores how the EU, in its effort to f...
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| Language: | English |
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Nicolae Titulescu University Publishing House
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Challenges of the Knowledge Society |
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| Online Access: | https://cks.univnt.ro/download/cks_2025_articles%252F6_CKS_2025_ADMINISTRATIVE_AND_POLITICAL_SCIENCES%252FCKS_2025_ADMINISTRATIVE_AND_POLITICAL_SCIENCES_001.pdf |
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| author | Sebastian BĂLĂNICĂ Bogdan-Alin CIOFLAN |
| author_facet | Sebastian BĂLĂNICĂ Bogdan-Alin CIOFLAN |
| author_sort | Sebastian BĂLĂNICĂ |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We are living in a time of rapid technological advancement, particularly in the field of AI, and more specifically, Generative AI (GAI). As GAI models increasingly permeate everyday life, the urgent need for effective regulation has become apparent. This paper explores how the EU, in its effort to fill the legislative vacuum surrounding AI, drew inspiration from unconventional sources, including science fiction literature. Specifically, it examines the extent to which Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics, though fictional, have influenced the structure and ethical principles of the EU’s AI Act. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the resonance between Asimov’s fictional ethical framework and the normative architecture of the AI Act. To achieve this, we employ a qualitative legal research methodology, using comparative textual analysis of the AI Act alongside Asimov’s literary works and relevant policy documents. The paper is grounded in the theoretical perspectives of legal pragmatism and science and technology studies, focusing on how imagined futures can shape real-world regulatory choices. Our findings suggest that the AI Act reflects key elements of Asimov’s principles, especially the emphasis on human safety, ethical use, and transparency. This highlights an instance where speculative fiction has provided a conceptual foundation for actual legislation. The paper concludes by advocating for adaptable, ethics-based regulatory approaches that can evolve alongside AI technologies, reinforcing the idea that flexible legal structures are essential in responding to the dynamic nature of AI. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-55e3e20e701145bf98959dc01d8f7345 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2068-7796 2359-9227 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nicolae Titulescu University Publishing House |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Challenges of the Knowledge Society |
| spelling | doaj-art-55e3e20e701145bf98959dc01d8f73452025-08-20T03:58:36ZengNicolae Titulescu University Publishing HouseChallenges of the Knowledge Society2068-77962359-92272025-05-01181568AI ACT AND THE ECHO OF ASIMOV'S LAWS OF ROBOTICS. WHEN THE LACK OF LEGAL SOURCES PUSHED THE EU TOWARDS SCIENCE FICTIONSebastian BĂLĂNICĂ0Bogdan-Alin CIOFLAN1PhD Candidate, Faculty of Political Science, University of Bucharest (e-mail: sebastian.balanica@fspub.unibuc.ro)PhD Candidate, Faculty of Political Science, University of Bucharest (e-mail: bogdan-alin.cioflan@fspub.unibuc.ro)We are living in a time of rapid technological advancement, particularly in the field of AI, and more specifically, Generative AI (GAI). As GAI models increasingly permeate everyday life, the urgent need for effective regulation has become apparent. This paper explores how the EU, in its effort to fill the legislative vacuum surrounding AI, drew inspiration from unconventional sources, including science fiction literature. Specifically, it examines the extent to which Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics, though fictional, have influenced the structure and ethical principles of the EU’s AI Act. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the resonance between Asimov’s fictional ethical framework and the normative architecture of the AI Act. To achieve this, we employ a qualitative legal research methodology, using comparative textual analysis of the AI Act alongside Asimov’s literary works and relevant policy documents. The paper is grounded in the theoretical perspectives of legal pragmatism and science and technology studies, focusing on how imagined futures can shape real-world regulatory choices. Our findings suggest that the AI Act reflects key elements of Asimov’s principles, especially the emphasis on human safety, ethical use, and transparency. This highlights an instance where speculative fiction has provided a conceptual foundation for actual legislation. The paper concludes by advocating for adaptable, ethics-based regulatory approaches that can evolve alongside AI technologies, reinforcing the idea that flexible legal structures are essential in responding to the dynamic nature of AI.https://cks.univnt.ro/download/cks_2025_articles%252F6_CKS_2025_ADMINISTRATIVE_AND_POLITICAL_SCIENCES%252FCKS_2025_ADMINISTRATIVE_AND_POLITICAL_SCIENCES_001.pdfairobotics lawsregulationai actlegal limitationsframework |
| spellingShingle | Sebastian BĂLĂNICĂ Bogdan-Alin CIOFLAN AI ACT AND THE ECHO OF ASIMOV'S LAWS OF ROBOTICS. WHEN THE LACK OF LEGAL SOURCES PUSHED THE EU TOWARDS SCIENCE FICTION Challenges of the Knowledge Society ai robotics laws regulation ai act legal limitations framework |
| title | AI ACT AND THE ECHO OF ASIMOV'S LAWS OF ROBOTICS. WHEN THE LACK OF LEGAL SOURCES PUSHED THE EU TOWARDS SCIENCE FICTION |
| title_full | AI ACT AND THE ECHO OF ASIMOV'S LAWS OF ROBOTICS. WHEN THE LACK OF LEGAL SOURCES PUSHED THE EU TOWARDS SCIENCE FICTION |
| title_fullStr | AI ACT AND THE ECHO OF ASIMOV'S LAWS OF ROBOTICS. WHEN THE LACK OF LEGAL SOURCES PUSHED THE EU TOWARDS SCIENCE FICTION |
| title_full_unstemmed | AI ACT AND THE ECHO OF ASIMOV'S LAWS OF ROBOTICS. WHEN THE LACK OF LEGAL SOURCES PUSHED THE EU TOWARDS SCIENCE FICTION |
| title_short | AI ACT AND THE ECHO OF ASIMOV'S LAWS OF ROBOTICS. WHEN THE LACK OF LEGAL SOURCES PUSHED THE EU TOWARDS SCIENCE FICTION |
| title_sort | ai act and the echo of asimov s laws of robotics when the lack of legal sources pushed the eu towards science fiction |
| topic | ai robotics laws regulation ai act legal limitations framework |
| url | https://cks.univnt.ro/download/cks_2025_articles%252F6_CKS_2025_ADMINISTRATIVE_AND_POLITICAL_SCIENCES%252FCKS_2025_ADMINISTRATIVE_AND_POLITICAL_SCIENCES_001.pdf |
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