Robots are close … In fact, they are already here, playing roles that previously, it seemed, could only be played by humans. While we are thinking about the future, looking at science fiction, we already use electronic checkout counters in supermarkets, and in Japan robots are used to help the elderly.
If a robot could show feelings and care like a human, would you like to get it? Robots can enter our lives so much that we begin to fall in love with them …
Time to think about them - what they can do and what this means for us - before it gets too far.
Robots we can love
Imagine a world where artificial intelligence (AI) takes its human-equal place in society. Screenwriters and writers have tried to do this. Listed below are four provocative films that show a new perspective on relationships.
Promotional video:
"Out of the car" (2015)
Robots can grant wishes quietly and without judgment. “If you have a car that you find aesthetically pleasing, why not? Fall in love! - this is the opinion of director Alex Garland.
"She" (2013)
The protagonist of this film is lonely. Love for a robot is shown in it as the belief that a machine can understand a person and show kindness to him, to which he will reciprocate.
"Robot and Frank" (2012)
According to director Jake Schreier, the question is "man or machine?" sometimes transforms into a "car or nothing" choice when it comes to the elderly. The relationship between an elderly protagonist and a robot assigned to take care of him is considered.
"City of Heroes" (2014)
Many parents have to work day and night to provide food and a decent life for themselves and their children. Unfortunately, in this situation, there is no time for the child himself. In that case, whoever would like to have a friendly robot babysitting? “You just want to touch and hug him,” says the director of “City of Heroes”.
A new kind of love
Today, the idea of a loving relationship with a robot may seem strange or even completely wrong. But history knows many examples when the moral assessment of actions has changed dramatically. Wasn't it considered unacceptable to bare your ankle three centuries ago? And for homosexual relationships people were severely punished and sent to prison … Maybe there is no reason to think that love for a robot can be other than love for a person?
AI relationship issues
Our relationship with AI will pose a number of new challenges. This, for example, a decrease in the quality of life and the exploitation of both the robots themselves and people. Already now, focusing on these issues, we can reduce their severity in the future.
Society reaction
This may be the most important ethical decision of the 21st century. When the time comes, will you accept robots?
So far, the three possible answers - yes, maybe / don't know, no - have equal potential.
- Yes. Japan, as always, is moving forward. The Japanese government is already funding the creation and operation of robots to take care of the elderly, because there is a problem of lack of personnel in this area.
- May be I do not know. Other people think we have plenty of time to think and make a decision. And they are also right. Complex humanoid drones from science fiction works remain a figment of the imagination of writers. Cambridge scientists say that even 50 years for the creation of such machines and their widespread use is a very optimistic time.
- No. Some researchers believe that even human-like robots will not actually be "human-like". We can assume that they love because their behavior will speak of it. But they cannot really love. The "humanization" of objects is already being observed, and the more the robot looks and behaves like a human, the more we will perceive it as such. But the point is only in our perception!
What do you think? Have you ever wondered if your great-great-great-great-grandchildren will share your point of view?
V. Pushkin