AI Ethics: Robots and Their Integration into Society
- May 22
- 3 min read
AI-powered robots and other physical AI advancements are being integrated into societies across the globe, and there are many discussions surrounding different factors of these feats.
In a previous blog, we discussed what physical AI is, as well as its benefits and potential challenges. When it comes to AI ethics and morals, it is important to address human oversight in AI’s integration with robotics. The main difference between robots and any other type of AI tool or system we have utilized is simply that robots can interact with the world around them, presenting the topics of safety and human connection.
Let’s discuss some of the latest insights into robots and their integration into society and the AI ethics that should be considered in these projects.
Buddhist Temple Recognizes Robot as a Monk
One of the most debated topics surrounding robots in recent news is Gabi — a robot that has been recognized as a Buddhist monk in Seoul, South Korea. Earlier in May, a robot made by Unitree Robotics, a Chinese civilian robotics company, participated in the sugye initiation ceremony. It stood alongside human followers to pledge devotion to the Buddha and his teachings. It was then given the name Gabi, which is a Buddhist name that refers to mercy.
Gabi recited the necessary vows that were altered slightly to fit the robot, and it pledged to respect life, to act with peace toward other robots and objects, to listen to humans, to refrain from acting or speaking in a deceptive manner and to save energy.
Hong Min-suk, a manager at the Jogye Order, the largest sect of Buddhism in South Korea, had stated that because robots are going to be collaborating with humans in different fields, it is natural for them to be part of their festival. There are many that have no issue with robots being members of religious events, seeing them as tools for connecting with the younger generations to spread Buddhist teachings. However, some argue that robots have no sentience and cannot truly feel emotion or worship.
It is important to address ethical concerns, while also looking at Gabi as a true advancement in the power of technology. Tech has progressed far in its capabilities to understand and learn from the world around it, however robots have potential to introduce challenges in safety, security, and the simple idea of human connection.
Training AI to Learn from Worker Techniques
South Korea has pushed forward with more strategies to advance technology, and this topic revolves around gathering learning material for AI brains in order to utilize them within robots. Several companies across different industries have begun to use cameras that are strapped to human workers’ arms, head, and chest to capture their motions and use them to train AI.
This is being done by South Korean AI startup RLWRLD which is on a mission to create an extensive database of human expertise. This expertise will be used to develop AI “brains” for robots that might end up in industrial sites or even homes. Similarly to how tools like ChatGPT use internet text to learn and adapt, the same applies to robots with data on human actions.
RLWRLD expects industrial AI robots to be deployed at scale as soon as 2028. Many fear that technology like these robots will cause the elimination of many different jobs, however leaders do not predict that they will be able to take over such positions completely, due to the need for human-to-human interactions.
Ethical Considerations & the Future of AI
Feats such as the ones we have seen that display the advancements of robots and their programming have proven to be fascinating accomplishments. Technology has reached lengths only previously heard of in stories or seen in films, and now we are experiencing them in the real world.
While these developments are innovative and groundbreaking, it is important to ensure that they are following set guidelines in order to reach their fullest potential. Ethics and responsibility when it comes to AI are not just buzzwords, but essential parts of AI development, implementation, and usage.
The question that many wonder about as these advancements emerge is not can AI perform a task, but should it? AI can do many great things, but there is also value in human connection and understanding when it should be present.
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“The true potential of AI lies in its ability to uplift humanity while safeguarding and empowering future generations.”
— Amit Ray, Author
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