TED Talks Daily Why we have an emotional connection to robots | Kate Darling
Oct 21, 2019
In this insightful discussion, Kate Darling, a leading robot ethicist, explores the complex emotional connection humans have with robots. She shares how we're wired to project emotions onto machines, using personal anecdotes like her experience with a robotic dinosaur toy. Kate raises ethical questions about these bonds, especially in sensitive applications such as the military. The conversation also delves into how our interactions with robots mirror human relationships, highlighting the importance of understanding these dynamics as technology evolves.
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Comforting a Robot Dinosaur
- Kate Darling asked her friend to hold a Pleo robot upside down, which made the robot cry.
- Despite knowing Pleo was a machine, she felt compelled to comfort it.
The Landmine Robot
- The US military tested a robot designed to diffuse landmines by stepping on them and losing legs.
- The testing was called off because it felt inhumane to watch the robot get damaged.
Projecting Life onto Robots
- People project life onto robots due to biological hardwiring, not just pop culture.
- We subconsciously associate autonomous movement with intent, leading to personification.