The scientist and science fiction writer Isaac Asimov as stated in his 1942 short story Runaround


1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Asimov later added a fourth law.

0. A robot may not harm humanity, or, by inaction allow humanity to come to harm.

Should this be how robots should be programmed?