Ethical complexities within the appearance and usage of social robots: A scoping review

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics has transformed practices in industry, professional settings and everyday life. Vastly expanded data processing capabilities, cloud computing, development of user-friendly interfaces and the possibility of seamless integration of diverse technologies through the Internet of Things, have opened new opportunities for the use of information technology. Social robots are types of information technologies that have seen an increased use in various application contexts within the social professions. Their entry into those fields has been accompanied by optimism and enthusiasm by some and skepticism and concern by others. Ethical considerations have been a prominent aspect in responses to this new technology. In this review we attempt to combine literature conducted within or close to the practice of the social professions, complemented by more foundational research on ethical perspectives on social robotics and engineering.