"Now, look, let's start with the Three Fundamental Rules of Robotics – the three rules that are buried most deeply in a robot's positronic brain

"Now, look, let's start with the Three Fundamental Rules of Robotics – the three rules that are buried most deeply in a robot's positronic brain."

~ Gregory Powell to Michael Donnovan, I, Robot by Issac Asimov

Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics

First Law: A robot must not harm a human being, or, though inaction, allow a human being to come to harm

Second Law: A robot must follow the orders given to it by human beings, so long as the Second Law does not conflict with the First Law.

Third Law: A robot must protect it's own existance, so long as the Third Law does not conflict with the First and Second Laws.