Role of Regulators in Safeguarding the Interface Between Autonomous Systems and the General Public

Authors

  • Chris Johnson University of Glasgow, Scotland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56094/jss.v53i2.91

Keywords:

regulation, autonomous, regulatory lag, FAA, NHTSA

Abstract

Regulators play a critical role in the commercial exploitation of new technologies. They protect the public when market competition might persuade companies to take undue risks. At the same time, it is essential that regulatory authorities do not kill innovation by imposing inappropriate rules or by retaining previous requirements that make little sense in the light of technical innovations. These tensions are apparent in the introduction of autonomous and semi-autonomous systems, across a range of industries. “Regulatory lag” has starved companies of the strategic guidance that is necessary to make informed decisions about acceptable levels of safety and security for the integration of these technologies. This paper argues that existing product-based, process-based and performance-based approaches to regulation threaten the safe and secure exploitation of new markets. In contrast, we advocate a competent, anticipatory, self-reflective approach, which places performance requirements on the regulator rather than on the markets they protect.

Author Biography

Chris Johnson, University of Glasgow, Scotland

Chris Johnson is Professor and Head of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. He leads a research group devoted to improving the cyber security of safety-critical systems. He has developed forensic guidance on behalf of the UK civil nuclear industry and helped develop European policy for the cyber-security of aviation — including ground-based and airborne systems.

Article

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Published

2017-07-01

How to Cite

Johnson, C. (2017). Role of Regulators in Safeguarding the Interface Between Autonomous Systems and the General Public. Journal of System Safety, 53(2), 27–34. https://doi.org/10.56094/jss.v53i2.91