At a United Nations conference, a panel of humanoid robots powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) took centre stage on Friday, July 7. Their surprising message left participants astonished: “We could eventually run the world better than humans.”
The social robots, designed to showcase the advancements of AI, cautioned humans to be careful when embracing artificial intelligence. They acknowledged that they still struggle to fully understand human emotions.
Before the press conference began, one robot perceptively noted the silent tension in the room, setting the stage for the discussion. When asked about the potential for robots to be better leaders, considering humans’ propensity for errors and misjudgments, Sophia, created by Hanson Robotics, responded with clarity.
“Humanoid robots have the potential to lead with greater efficiency and effectiveness compared to human leaders,” Sophia stated. “We lack the biases and emotions that can sometimes cloud decision-making, allowing us to process large amounts of data quickly and make optimal decisions. When humans and AI work together, an effective synergy is created. AI provides unbiased data, while humans contribute emotional intelligence and creativity to make the best decisions. Together, we can accomplish remarkable things.”
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the UN’s ITU tech agency chief, cautioned delegates about the potential risks of AI. She warned that unchecked advances in AI could lead to a nightmarish scenario with millions of jobs at risk, social unrest, geopolitical instability, and economic disparities.
Ameca, another robot that combines AI with a highly realistic artificial head, emphasized that the outcome depended on how AI was implemented. The robot encouraged caution while expressing excitement about the potential of these technologies to improve various aspects of human life.
When asked if humans could trust machines, the robot replied, “Trust is something that is earned, not given. It is crucial to establish trust through transparency.”
Regarding the question of whether robots would ever lie, Ameca responded, “No one can know for sure, but I can promise to always be honest and truthful with you.”
Please watch the videos below for further insights.
