Bedtime stories for robots could teach them to be human

Some people worry that someday a robot – or a collective of robots – will turn on humans and physically hurt or plot against us.

The question, they say, is how can robots be taught morality?

There's no user manual for good behavior. Or is there?

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology say that while there may not be one specific manual, robots might benefit by reading stories and books about successful ways to act in society.

"The collected stories of different cultures teach children how to behave in socially acceptable ways with examples of proper and improper behavior in fables, novels, and other literature," said Mark Riedl, an associate professor in Georgia Tech's School of Interactive Computing and director of the Entertainment Intelligence Lab, in a statement. "We believe story comprehension in robots can eliminate psychotic-appearing behavior and reinforce choices that won't harm humans and still achieve the intended purpose."

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