[taneq]

The laws of robotics are a sci-fi concept, not an actual established principle in robotics. If you want to look at real-world safety of intelligent systems there's a lot of research into AI alignment.

[GuB-42]

In fact, most of the work of Asimov regarding the tree laws is about how broken they are.

So not only it is just a plot device with no basis in reality, but even in universe, they don't work.

[blep_]

> tree laws

1. A robot may not injure a tree, or through inaction, allow a tree to come to harm.

2. A robot must obey orders given by trees. Fortunately, this is trivial, as trees cannot speak.

3. A robot must protect its own existence by building a treehouse and hiding in it.

[sdenton4]

The robots in this universe are frozen in the practical ethical dilemma of building a tree house without harming any trees.

[happymellon]

Plot twist.

The house would be made of people.

[taneq]

No, no, it's "1. A row boat may not injure a tree..."