Robots in the Medical Field

Will robots revolutionize the way that medicine and medical treatment is administered? Will robots and artificial intelligence lead to new breakthroughs in the field of medicine?

Read the following articles/view the videos below and answer the questions with each.

The Robots of Medicine: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Costs?
Do the results associated with robotic surgery/medicine justify its costs?

12 Advances in Medical Robots
Read through the various medical robots. Which ones are most impressive and will have the greatest impact?

Future of Medicine?: New Robot Can Draw Your Blood
Given the choice between a human or a robot, which would you rather have draw your blood and why?

Surgery's Future: Robots in Medicine
How does the da Vinci medical robot improve the surgical process?

Robotic Surgery Complications Underreported
Should this report cause concern over the use of medical robots? Should we slow down development and ensure that robotic surgery is safer?

Friday Forum: Restrictions on Welfare Recipients

Proposals concerning welfare recipients in Kansas and Missouri have made national headlines the last few weeks. Lawmakers are concerned that some people are abusing their government assistance and using money for unnecessary or extravagant food and other items.

Kansas wants to ban welfare recipients from buying...

Missouri Republicans are trying to ban food stamp recipients from buying steak and seafood

The rich get government handouts too

Robots in the Workplace (cont)

Yesterday you read several articles on the future of the work place as new technology is increasing the use of robots in the work force. Today we will watch several videos and discuss whether the use of robots in the work place is a positive or negative.

Robots in the Workplace

Will robots increase productivity and boost the economy or will they replace American workers and leave them unemployed?

Read the following three articles to find out more about the impact of robots in the American workplace. Tomorrow, we will discuss and debate whether or not the increased use of robots in the workplace is a positive or negative. As you read, create a two-column chart noting the benefits and concerns of this development in the workforce.

New Robots in the Workplace: Job Creators or Job Terminators?

Better Than Humans: Why Robots Will--And Must Take Our Jobs

Robots Are Leaving the Factory Floor and Heading for Your Desk (And Your Job)

Robots!

Our next unit focuses on robots and artificial intelligence. To begin, let's explore some discussion questions on the use of robots.

1. What images spring to mind when you hear the word "robot"?
2. Will robots take over the world some day?
3. Do you see robots as harmful or helpful?
4. Which robot movie is your favorite?
5. If you could create a robot, what would you have it do (primarily)?
6. What role will robots play in our society later this century?
7. Will robots ever look identical to humans?
8. Do you think robots will ever have emotions?
9. What name would you give your robot?
10. Will robots have rights?
11. When do you think robots will replace McDonald's workers?
12. Do you think people will have robots as companions, instead of a pet?
13. What economic effects will there be with increased jobs being replaced by robots?
14. Would you rather deal with a robot or a human clerk in stores?
15. Would you cry if your robot of ten years died?
16. How much of the human body will be replaced by machines? Will there be androids in the future?
17. How will warfare change with increased use of robots as soldiers?
18. Would you rather have a human or robot surgeon?
19. How soon before driverless cars are the norm?
20. Will sports be dominated by robots in the future?