In this easy read on artificial intelligence (AI), human rights, and robot rights, the author states different arguments from many different points of view. He refers to this futuristic topic in a very objective way. The main idea of the book is that both humans and machines need protected rights. Gordon states that, if machines have protected rights, they will be less likely to harm human beings.

The first chapter covers human rights and robot rights. The author makes the point that we should start to develop a different outlook about our relationship to technologies in light of recent advancements, for example, a future where robots are a significant part of life seems close.

The second chapter defines AI using easy to understand language. The third chapter describes moral and legal human rights in the context of AI and its applications, for example, in healthcare and warfare. The fourth chapter lists different viewpoints on human and machine rights. The author also mentions a less explored area: violations of machine rights. The fifth chapter proposes a “Universal Convention for the Rights of AI Systems” to protect machines from misuse. The book makes another interesting point that robots should not have to do the tasks they have been asked to do if they don’t want to, as is their right. In chapter 6, Gordon lists some objections to machine rights: machines might have a darker side to their superintelligence, such as being controlled by superpowers; human rights are only for human beings, and robots are not human beings; and, finally, robots are made to serve humans. The book notes that the thinking that robots should alway be serving human needs makes them technological slaves.

Although a future where robots need protected rights may seem distant, Gordon argues that we should get ready for it now. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It will be a good reference for lawmakers, human rights legislators, and anyone who has an interest in the area.