What Is AI?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way people are designing and manufacturing cars. AI is the process of using computers to automate tasks that people already do. This means that AI is an algorithm that can categorize, analyze, and even draw predictions from the data set. AI learns and improves itself over time similar to a human. AI demonstrates human behavior and can be used for a wide range of tasks such as suggesting what a person should be buying online or as complex as driving vehicles.
Levels of Car Autonomy
In 2014, the Society of Automotive Engineers defined six levels of car autonomy. These levels are as follows:
- Level 0: Human Control
- Level 1: Driver Assistance
- Level 2: Partial Automation
- Level 3: Conditional Autonomy
- Level 4: Pre-Defined Autonomy
- Level 5: Fully Autonomous
How AI in Vehicles Affects Colorado Springs Drivers
In 2017, the Colorado state legislature created an outline for autonomous vehicles. Governor John Hickenlooper signed into law that as long as all existing rules of the road are followed, autonomous vehicles are allowed. An autonomous vehicle, also called a self-driving car, utilizes AI. This means that these autonomous vehicles are able to sense their surrounding environment and operate safely with little human involvement. Gov. Hickenlooper stated this “allows Colorado to be a hotbed of innovation.” However, this innovation also affects all drivers in Colorado, especially considering that AI is a new concept and all safety concerns may not have been found yet. An autonomous car has already caused the death of Elaine Herzburg;the first recorded fatality from a self-driving car. AI software works to predict behavior, so if other drivers or pedestrians do not act as predicted, accidents can occur.
Current and Changing Legislation in Colorado
Colorado categorizes an autonomous car as a Level 4 or Level 5 rating, and the “liability for a crash involving an automated driving system that is not under human control is determined in accordance with applicable, state, federal, or common law.” If accidents occur involving autonomous cars, determining the liability of the driver can be difficult. AI in vehicles is changing the way legislators are making decisions because there are many new factors to consider.
For example, Colorado law does not differentiate between drunk driving while operating a standard car, or drunk “driving” while operating a fully autonomous car. If a Colorado driver uses their self-driving car to get home and an accident occurs, current regulation puts the driver at fault, as they would be considered to be operating the vehicle despite not driving it. This new use of AI technology is going to require Colorado lawmakers to update current regulations.
“As technology advances, local lawmakers are going to be forced to evaluate where the liability lies in accidents involving self-driving cars,” said attorney Christopher Nicolaysen from Springs Law Group LLC. “Self-driving cars are still not perfect, but lawmakers will need to adapt along with the technological advancements to make sure that it is more clear where the liability is to be put in the event of a car accident involving either partially-autonomous or fully-autonomous vehicles.”
How An Attorney Can Help
There is a high chance that you or someone you know has been involved in a motor vehicle accident. Even if the accident was minor, an experienced car accident lawyer can help. If your accident involved an autonomous vehicle, determining liability without a lawyer may be challenging. Springs Law Group could help simplify the accident process. Car accidents happen, get in touch with a Colorado Springs attorney today.
Hemant Kumar is a project manager at Tridindia with more than nine years of commendable experience in writing about LMS, translation, and IT. His unmatched talent and passion for digital marketing gave him the opportunity to work as a multi-tasking project manager at TridIndia’s sister company, Link Building Corp. Today, he contributes to the world by imparting knowledge on SEO, link building and internet marketing etc., that helps business owners grow their online business.
