Robotics in Leeds have just produced a robot that can pull a perfect pint. A pub has expressed interest in purchasing this robot in order to reduce the number of bar staff that it needs and reduce wastage.
Explain the ethical and cultural issues that may be presented by the pub making this decision.
Answer (click to reveal)
- Concerns about the loss of jobs in the local community due to being replaced by a robot
- Concerns about the lack of face to face interaction with bar staff and social issues that may occur because of this
- Concerns that the skill of pouring a good pint might be lost in generations where there are only robot servers
- A robot may not be able to tell if a customer has had enough leading to strain on emergency services
- A robot cannot ask a patron for ID which may mean underage patrons are getting served beer