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Home > Shows > Robots & Humanity
Robots & Humanity
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Robot Personality & Ethics
Kismet & Robot Expression
Robots in Science-Fiction
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Date: |
12-21-04 |
Host: |
George Noory |
Guests: |
Robotics theologian Anne Foerst(1), the author of the new book God in the Machine(2),offered commentary on some of the provocative issues that will arise with robotics in the years to come. As robots become increasingly sophisticated in future decades, she believes they eventually will reach a level where they could be considered "persons." Even with identical machines, their personalities would develop differently based on their unique experiences, she said.
At that juncture in the future, we will face new types of ethical dilemmas, Foerst noted, such as do humans have the right to "turn off" a robot? She suggested that robots may eventually be viewed as a "partner species" to humanity, and that they might generate completely fresh ideas that we never thought about.
She detailed her experiences working at MIT on their artificial intelligence project Kismet(3). While very primitive, the robot had social intelligence and the ability to use different vocal melodies. Interestingly, Foerst said that in watching her emotional reactions to Kismet, it made more of a statement about humans than robots.
1. http://www.onrobots.com/
2. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0525947663/ctoc
3. http://www.ai.mit.edu/projects/humanoid-robotics-group/kismet/kismet.html
Related Articles
A Multitude of Robots |
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Robots are now made for a large number of purposes-spanning across industrial, medical, military and entertainment realms. The Czechoslovakian playwright Karel Capek first introduced the term "robot" in 1920 for his play R.U.R.(1) Here are some online resources which show off some of the surprising variety of forms and styles of current and vintage robots:
Pictured is 'Pulsar' a human-sized 'techno-mascot' made by International Robotics.
1. http://trueforce.com/images/Robot_History_Images/rur.jpg |
Bumper Music
Bumper music from Tuesday December 21, 2004
| 1. | Blade Runner Blues Vangelis |
2. | Hold Your Head Up Argent |
3. | How Long Ace |
| 4. | In the Mood Robert Plant |
5. | Inca Dance Cusco |
6. | Midnight Express (The Chase) Giorgio Moroder |
| 7. | Midnight Express (The Chase) Giorgio Moroder |
8. | Miracles Jefferson Starship |
9. | Moondance Van Morrison |
| 10. | Mr. Roboto Styx |
11. | Protection Massive Attack |
12. | Time of the Season Zombies |
| 13. | Too Much Information The Police |
14. | #41 Dave Matthews Band |
15. | Walking on the Moon Police |
| 16. | Welcome to the Machine Pink Floyd |
17. | When You Come Back to Me World Party |
