An Empirical Design Justice Approach to Identifying Ethical Considerations in the Intersection of Large Language Models and Social Robotics

摘要

Abstract The integration of generative AI, such as large language models in social robotics presents a unique set of ethical challenges. This study described in this article seeks to identify ethical considerations that arise in the design and development of these two technologies in combination. Using large language models for human-robot interaction may provide benefits, such as enabling natural language open-domain dialogues. However, this intersection also raises ethical concerns related to misinformation, nonverbal cues, emotional disruption, and biases. The robot’s physical embodiment adds complexity, as ethical hazards associated with large language model–based Social AI, such as hallucinations and misinformation, can be exacerbated due to the effects of physical embodiment on social perception and communication. To address these challenges, the study discussed in this article employs an empirical design justice–based methodology focusing on identifying socio-technical ethical considerations through a qualitative co-design and interaction study with young adults. The purpose of the study is to identify ethical considerations relevant to the process of co-designing physical (embodiment) and nonphysical (persona) traits as well as interaction with a humanoid social robot as the interface of a large language model and to evaluate how a design justice methodology can be used in this context. The findings reveal a mapping of ethical considerations arising in four conceptual dimensions: interaction, co-design, terms of service, and relationship. The study also evaluates how a design justice approach can be used empirically in the intersection of large language models and robotics. The study contributes original insights detailing how AI ethics uniquely unfold in the intersection of social robotics and large language models in the context of young adults and demonstrates a novel applied design justice approach.