Humanoid Robots: AI Capabilities Becoming increasingly Lifelike, Humans Should Embrace Machines as New Branch of Life, According to David Hanson of Hanson Robotics
AI Capabilities Becoming increasingly Lifelike, Humans Should Embrace Machines as New Branch of Life
- Hanson Robotics CEO sees “epoch of history” where machines becoming sentient is a real possibility
- Humanizing AI and embracing diverse teams key to building safe and beneficial technology
- Global AI Alliance aims to create a “global AI democracy”
NEW DELHI (AI Reporter/News): Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, with robots becoming more and more human-like, according to David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics. Speaking at the Global Business Summit (GBS 24) in Delhi on Feb 10, 2024 in New Delhi, national capital of India, Hanson highlighted the significant progress in AI capabilities, stating, “Now, we’re starting to see more and more lifelike capabilities spontaneously emerging.”
He believes these advancements, from large language models to new computing and authoring tools, offer exciting opportunities to explore the fundamental meaning of life. “We are now able to see life-like behaviors from artificial intelligence that were not possible for the last 50 years,” Hanson declared. “These have begun to accelerate only in the last few years.”
We are now able to see life-like behaviors from artificial intelligence that were not possible for the last 50 years.
David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics (at Global Business Summit India 2024)
This rapid progress paves the way for a future where machines could potentially gain sentience. Hanson emphasizes the necessity of humanizing these machines, viewing them as a nascent branch within the tree of life itself. He suggests, “Humanoid robots can be a way to bridge AI to the human experience.”
Humanoid robots can be a way to bridge AI to the human experience.
David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics (at Global Business Summit India 2024)
Hanson Robotics, renowned for creating human-like robots like Sophia, the world’s first robot citizen, exemplifies this philosophy. Hanson believes AI’s cognitive systems augment human intelligence and consciousness, enabling us to perceive the world differently and solve problems more effectively, ultimately leading to a “smarter humanity.”
He proposes a continuum between living beings and the technology they create, suggesting that embracing diversity in AI and robotics development is crucial. “Diversifying robotics is one of our quests, but this requires a diversity of teams as well,” he remarked.
Diversifying robotics is one of our quests, but this requires a diversity of teams as well.
David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics (at Global Business Summit India 2024)
The Hanson Robotics team itself reflects this commitment, boasting a 50% female workforce and incorporating individuals from diverse backgrounds, including designers, artists, and animators. This approach goes beyond engineering and AI expertise, focusing on crafting the robots’ characters and incorporating humanities into the design process to foster human connection and teach AI about human values.
“Humanistic AI, I believe, equals a better future, because this means that it enhances potentially the best in humans,” Hanson stated.
Humanistic AI, I believe, equals a better future, because this means that it enhances potentially the best in humans.
David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics (at Global Business Summit India 2024)
He acknowledges the rapid pace of AI development, emphasizing that AI and robots ultimately serve the purpose of improving human lives. Hanson Robotics has even established the Global AI Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to “stitching and bridging communities that may be separated – governments and people and corporations – to try to create a global AI democracy.”
Stitching and bridging communities that may be separated – governments and people and corporations – to try to create a global AI democracy.
David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics (at Global Business Summit India 2024)
Looking towards the future, Hanson points to artificial general intelligence (AGI) as potentially the most transformative development in diversifying AI. However, he stresses the importance of a global effort to ensure that such AGI aligns itself with human values and well-being.
Through innovative approaches, diverse teams, and a focus on human values, Hanson envisions a future where AI and robots seamlessly integrate into our lives, bridging the gap between technology and humanity, and ultimately enhancing human potential.
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