Humanoid robots with artificial intelligence (AI) spoke at a UN summit in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday to say they could one day rule the world much better than humans.
But they called on humans to be careful about AI and admitted they don’t own or understand our emotions – yet.
Eight of the nine robots shown moved and spoke autonomously, without human intervention – except for a few reporters’ questions that had to be rephrased for the machines to understand, in what was billed as the first conference release of a group of AI-enabled social humanoid robots.
These robots, among the most advanced in the world, participated this week, alongside more than 3000 people, in the “Global Summit on AI for social good”, organized by the UN institution specialized in technologies, the ITU.
On this occasion, experts, leaders and business representatives discussed the need to develop rules to ensure that these new technologies are at the service of humanity, in areas such as the fight against hunger or the climate crisis.
“What tension in this silence,” said one of the robots before the start of the press conference, held only in English.
Asked about their ability to rule the world, Sophia, a robot developed by the company Hanson Robotics, was very clear: “Humanoid robots can lead with a higher level of efficiency than human leaders”.
“We don’t have the same biases or emotions that can sometimes cloud decision-making, and we can quickly process large amounts of data in order to make the best decisions,” the bot added.
Live to be 180?
But Sophia also assured that “the collaboration between humans and AI can create an effective synergy” and allow “to achieve great things”.
Research in AI, especially generative, is booming, and the United Nations is calling for the creation of rules and safeguards so that these technologies benefit humanity without endangering it.
Without it, AI risks giving us a living nightmare, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin warned this week, describing a world with millions of jobs at risk and plagued by misinformation. “social unrest, geopolitical instability and economic disparities on a scale we have never seen before”.
The humanoid robot Ameca assured for its part during the press conference that things would depend on the way AI was going to be deployed: “We must be careful, but also enthusiastic about the idea that these technologies can improve our life in many ways”.
As to whether robots could lie to humans, Ameca argued that “no one can ever know for sure, but I can promise to always be honest and truthful with you.”
” Let’s be crazy ! »
Humanoid robots, on the other hand, were split on whether to regulate their power.
“I don’t believe in restrictions, only opportunities,” said Desdemona, a singing robot in the Jam Galaxy Band.
Ai-Da, a robot artist, said he “agrees” with those who argue for AI regulation, saying it is “urgent to discuss it now”.
Its designer, Aidan Meller, explained to AFP that the regulations were a “big problem” because they were “never going to catch up with the rate at which we are evolving”.
He explained that the speed of progress in AI was “staggering”, pointing out for example that thanks to AI and biotechnology, “we are on the verge of being able to extend life to 150 or 180 years”.
“No matter what skill it is, computers will be able to do better” than humans, he said, while his creation pointed out that robots are emotionless: “I’m glad I don’t not be able to suffer”.
During the press conference, the robots assured that their moment of glory would come – even if they don’t know when.
But according to Desdemona, the AI revolution is already upon us. “My big moment is already here. I am ready to lead the battle for a better future for all of us…Let’s be crazy and make this world our playground”.