Author: Stine S. Johansen, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Queensland University of Technology

Do you think a robot should be allowed to lie? A new study published in Frontiers in Robotics and AI investigates what people think of robots that deceive their users. Their research uses examples of robots lying to people to find out if some lies are acceptable – and how people might justify them. Social norms say it can be okay for people to lie, if it protects someone from harm. Should a robot be allowed the same privilege to lie for the greater good? The answer, according to this study, is yes – in some cases. Three types of…