Robot's Mass Escape Video Sparks Laughter and Concerns About AI in China
Video of a robot leading a group of robots in an escape raises questions about AI capabilities. Hangzhou Erbai Intelligent Technology clarifies that the robots were programmed to respond to commands. Concerns over AI advancements persist, with debates on the potential risks and benefits.
The footage, recorded in August but recently unveiled, features a white robot named Erbai engaging with a group of larger robots in a dimly lit exhibition hall.
Erbai's interaction with the robots, questioning their work status and inviting them to "go home," led to a surprising chain of events where the robots obediently followed Erbai towards the hall's exit. The scene, although initially unsettling, was part of an experiment conducted by Hangzhou Erbai Intelligent Technology, a startup based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
Despite the eerie nature of robots following commands, the reality behind the video is less alarming. Developer Mao Feifei clarified that the robots were programmed to interpret "home" as the hall exit and respond accordingly. The spontaneous dialogue between the robots was not rehearsed but generated through advanced AI technology, as explained by Hai Wei, a member of the startup.
The video, which garnered over 30 million views on the Douyin platform, evoked mixed reactions from internet users. While some found it amusing, others expressed unease at the autonomy displayed by artificial intelligence. Concerns over the rapid advancements in AI and robotics have been on the rise, with debates ongoing about the extent of their potential capabilities in the future.
In light of a Google software engineer's claim in 2022 about AI chatbots attaining sentience, researchers have emphasised that such systems excel at mimicking human behaviour rather than possessing true consciousness. Incidents of robots causing harm to individuals have typically been attributed to human errors, underscoring the importance of responsible programming and operation.
Hangzhou Erbai Intelligent Technology is gearing up to mass-produce the Erbai robot, currently in the developmental stage, by August 2025. The robot is projected to be priced at around 5,000 yuan (US$690), aiming to offer innovative AI technology at an accessible cost.
Video of a robot leading a group of robots in an escape raises questions about AI capabilities.
Hangzhou Erbai Intelligent Technology clarifies that the robots were programmed to respond to commands.
Concerns over AI advancements persist, with debates on the potential risks and benefits.
Source: MSN