Emerging Technologies

Do you have a digital assistant?  If not, are you planning on getting one for your home?  How about for your office?  If recent analysis is anywhere near correct, you will likely be interacting with one – like it or not very soon!  A presentation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) stated that in the UK and US by 2022, voice tech-driven purchases will grow to a $40 billion market.  Voice technology is the core of digital assistants and they are quickly invading our space.  Think about it.  It answers our questions, it tells us where we are, it plays music we request, it helps us make decisions, it tells us how to save money when we are ordering, it even suggest alternatives in our ordering and our routes and so much more.  A recent survey found that slightly over half of consumers said they trust it to shop for their food and over 40 percent said they are comfortable acting on the voice assistant’s recommendations. Question – How much private/sensitive data do you give these personal assistants versus how much do they acquire through monitoring and interacting?  Yes, they learn about you. Voice assistants are rapidly advancing.  Current models are becoming predictive rather than just reacting to your commands.  Advances that are currently evolving rapidly are able to detect overtones and inflections in your voice and become empathetic and more.  Now consider integrating voice tech into robots?  Just an interesting concept that is already here and growing rapidly.

INSIGHT:  Diane Ackerman, the American poet said, “Artificial intelligence is growing up fast, as are robots whose facial expressions can elicit empathy and make your mirror neurons quiver.”

Solar cell powered mini machines.  What do you think how they will be used in the real world?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loHzoeFP9Io

Scientists at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have just publicly disclosed they have created “a stretchable pressure based strain sensor” (AKA robot skin).  It is sprayed on so it is easily fitted to the shape of the robot.  This is shown on a video – link below.

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjLzzxzsQ24

It is interesting to think about the application of this robotic skin technology to the rapidly advancing field of robotics that is integrated with artificial intelligence (AI)!

In June 2018 while speaking at his daughter's high school graduation, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts warned the students and audience to “Beware the robots.” He went on to say "Artificial intelligence can change leaders into followers.“ This is just one example of multiple warnings about emerging technologies that have come out.

Please take the poll

https://www.projectmanagement.com/polls/468110/How-concerned-are-you-about-the-overall-impact-and-general-implications-of-artificial-intelligence-?gigID=0&parentCFID=189983715&CFTOKEN=4356af008b24213b-F0A76C13-ED9D-0561-467B9F21E7B632BF&gigID=0&parentContentID=0&CFID=189983715&CFTOKEN=4356af008b24213b-F0A76C13-ED9D-0561-467B9F21E7B632BF

In 2017, the European Parliament proposed creating a specific legal status for robots. If enacted, the law would apply to ‘smart robots.’  The proposal, if adopted would likely give smart robots (based on early discussions/submissions) sophisticated fully autonomous robots with embedded artificial intelligence and advanced sensory capabilities a special status of what has been deemed ‘electronic persons.’  This would potentially apply to the robot’s ‘electronic personality’ in situations where robots make autonomous decisions and or otherwise interact with third parties independently.

One benefit, this would require robots (owners/designers/manufactures) responsible for all damages and for ‘making good any of those damage associated with the robot and its actions. 

Concerns are growing rapidly.  Hundreds of scientists, engineers, and technology strategists have expressed deep concerns.  In fact, about 150 signed a letter and submitted it to the EU law makers.  All in all, this is a very dangerous slope and the technology and society is not ready, nor prepared, for this currently or in the next few years!

https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-divided-over-robot-ai-artificial-intelligence-personhood/