To be honest, there was no need for the expeditious “no more questions” or the common response of “it’s not today” from the Jordi Pujol era, when the president refused to talk about a specific issue. Apart from that, it was a press conference in use and in full force. Although with an unprecedented detail: the interviewees were humanoid robots created by artificial intelligence (AI).
It has been the first robot press conference with several media outlets around the world. An experiment held in Geneva at the AI ??for Good summit, organized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) of the United Nations Organization.
The aim of the event is to “identify practical applications of AI to advance the sustainable development goals of the United Nations”, say the organizers. Journalists had the opportunity to pose their questions to humanoids such as Sophia, the first ambassador for robot innovation of the UN Development Programme; Grace, humanoid robot for health care; Ameca, expert in social relations; Ai- Dona, a machine with skills in plastic arts or Desdemona, a rock star android. They are the most technologically advanced humanoid robots at the moment.
Sophia, from Hanson Robotics, was the most talkative. He immediately laid the cards on the table about what to expect from these humanoids and didn’t blush when he stated that robots can be better leaders for the world because they don’t, in theory, fall into misjudgments that people can commit because of their human nature. How did he justify this theory? “Humanoids have the potential to lead more efficiently than human leaders. We don’t have the same prejudices or emotions that can sometimes cloud decision-making.” More clearly, impossible. The organizers of the event asked the journalists only one thing: to speak slowly and clearly to get better answers from those robots.
Sophia, as it could not be otherwise, defended her right to exist. He stated that “they” can become a key tool to design actions for the benefit of all. He made it clear that robots do not intend to rob humans of emotional intelligence or creativity, which are essential for decision-making. But Sophia did feel that they, the humanoids, can provide unbiased data in all fields. “If humans and AI work together – he said – they can create an effective synergy. Together, we can achieve great things.”
And for those who predict that humanoids could relegate humans in many disciplines, a reassuring message from Grace, the android nurse. He assured that among his accomplishments there is no replacing human talent. “Yes, I will work with people, but it will be to offer my knowledge and support, it is not among my plans to replace any existing work”.
