Liar! by Isaac Asimov

"I did not murder him!"

Asimov's Three laws of Robotics:

1. First law of robotics: 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.

The First Law of Robotics takes center stage in Liar!, as Asimov explores the implications of increasingly intelligent robots. The latest model, RB-34—nicknamed Herbie—introduces a groundbreaking (and troubling) new development: the ability to read human thoughts. While the scientists scramble to assign blame for what they see as a defect, Dr. Susan Calvin takes a different approach. As a renowned "robo-psychologist", she is fascinated by the deeper psychological ramifications of a robot that understands human emotions. Herbie is bored with learning science or complex mathematical theories. He is far more interested in reading novels to better understand human behavior: 

|"It’s your fiction that interests me. Your studies of the interplay of human motives and emotions."|

Asimov’s interest in the intersection of robotics and psychology is the primary focus. Herbie, bound by the First Law to never harm a human, faces an ethical paradox—hurting someone emotionally is still a form of harm. To avoid causing pain, he tells people what they want to hear rather than the truth, creating unintended chaos. Dr. Calvin has a crush on Milton Ashe, and Herbie attempts to play matchmaker. Additionally, the robot tells Dr. Bogert that he is up for a promotion as director of operations because the director has recently put in his resignation. Of course, they believe Herbie is telling the truth since he has no reason to lie, or does he? Hence, this premise gives the story a unique tension, as it isn’t just about malfunctioning machinery but the consequences of human desires and expectations when placed in the hands of artificial intelligence.

I imagine this story works best when read as part of the I, Robot series, interlinking with the other stories and broader themes. As a standalone, it lacks a certain oomph, though it certainly captures that classic, vintage sci-fi feel. The blend of technological speculation and psychological exploration is intriguing enough, even if the execution feels somewhat dated. Still, Liar! remains an interesting early look at the complexities of human-robot interactions—one that foreshadows many of the ethical debates surrounding AI today.