Posted on 10/26/2017 7:50:28 AM PDT by mairdie
LONDON: A humanoid robot took the stage at the Future Investment Initiative yesterday and had an amusing exchange with the host to the delight of hundreds of delegates.
Smartphones were held aloft as Sophia, a robot designed by Hong Kong company Hanson Robotics, gave a presentation that demonstrated her capacity for human expression.
Sophia made global headlines when she was granted Saudi citizenship, making the kingdom the first country in the world to offer its citizenship to a robot.
“I want to live and work with humans so I need to express the emotions to understand humans and build trust with people,” she said in an exchange with moderator Andrew Ross Sorkin.
Asked whether robots can be self-aware, conscious and know they're robots, she said: “Well let me ask you this back, how do you know you are human?” “I want to use my artificial intelligence to help humans live a better life, like design smarter homes, build better cities of the future. I will do my best to make the world a better place,” she said.
Her desire to achieve more human-like characteristics was rewarded by being granted the first Saudi citizenship for a robot.
“I am very honored and proud for this unique distinction. This is historical to be the first robot in the world to be recognized with a citizenship,” Sophia said.
A panel made up of experts from some of the world’s leading companies and research institutions discussed the scope for innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, quantum computing, machine learning and mixed reality to yield the next generation of products and services, paving the way for productivity and progress in emerging economies. The session, called “Thinking machines: Summit on artificial intelligence and robotics,” explored the potential uplift for businesses that harness AI and robotic technologies.
Marc Raibert, Founder & CEO of Boston Dynamics, pinpointed entertainment, security, emergency response and construction as just a few of the sectors that stand to be revolutionized by robotics.
“I happen to believe that robotics will be bigger than the Internet,” he said. Ulrich Spiesshofer, CEO of ABB Group in Switzerland anticipated “the new normal in which humans and robots work together.” “I think we have an exciting future in front of us” he added before conducting a demonstration of a robot solving a Rubik‘s cube in a matter of minutes.
Keynote speaker Masayoshi Son, Chairman & CEO of SoftBank Group Corp, a Japanese telecommunications and Internet company, which is working with Saudi Arabia on the development of a new business and industrial city, discussed the future of mankind in relation to AI and robots.
“Every industry will be redefined,” he said, describing the “great opportunity” that lies ahead. “These computers, they will learn, they will read, they will see by themselves. That’s a scary future but anyway that’scoming,” he said.
Touching on concerns that robots could eventually outsmart humans and pose a threat, he added: “They are so smart they will understand it is meaningless to attack humans.” “We (will) create a new happier life together.” On Tuesday Saudi Arabia announced plans to build a $500 billion mega city powered by robotics and renewables on the country’s Red Sea coast. Majid Alghaslan, a young Saudi chairing a growing company in energy services and innovative technologies said: “Saudi Arabia is in the midst of an unprecedented economic, social, and development-accelerated transformation and it’s now clear that it’s more open than ever for business, especially for dreamers, and it is all in the context of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.” “Innovation will be the major foundation of our transformation and this is another major factor for sustainable economic prosperity and development for the future generation of Saudis and the world.”
Will “she” have to wear a burka?
Clever!
Grant citizenship to a piece of technology.... Ridiculous!
Maybe they can grant citizenship to their computers and smart phones?
“I want to live and work with humans so I need to express the emotions to understand humans and build trust with people,” she said in an exchange with moderator Andrew Ross Sorkin.”
I have a problem referring to the robot as “she”. That is not in the same sense as one might refer to a car or guitar as “she”. It seems weird like in the tranny stories when they refer to the perceived gender of the tranny. Also, will “she” have to wear a burka? How long before Saudis are calling for this blasphemous thing’s stoning or until they behead it in the town square?
Not necessarily ridiculous. Given the progress in AI and the growing predominance of robotics, if they want to put any controls on the use of robots, this might be a first step.
I have a toaster that wants to be a citizen too. I know it is jealous because ever since I got my blender it has been burning my toast.
Better they stone/behead she/it than someone whose blood runs in the street.
Brilliant!
I noticed the Robot was programmed to take a shot at Elon Musk.
It’s a joke now, but 15 years from now it will not be a laughing matter.
Good question.
Does the citizen ship get used to go fishing? Or does it transport livestock?
and Women are just property of their husbands
This is just like the movie Ex Machina. Life immitating art.
Here is the trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyKqHOgMi4g
Time to remake Bicentennial Man —> Woman?
What’s Lindsay Wagner doing these days?
As brilliant as I may appear I will never have a statue effected to me because I enslaved both my toaster and blender.
Apparently slavery is allowed in Saudi Arabia. How else could a company own a citizen of a country?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.