London Futurists
Robots and the people who love them, with Eve Herold
Feb 6, 2024
Award-winning science writer Eve Herold discusses her book on social robots and the ethical considerations surrounding emotional robots. The chapter explores the portrayal of robots in movies and the potential benefits of using robots in scientific labs and healthcare. The impact of social robots on human culture is also discussed, including predictions of radical cultural changes.
37:13
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Quick takeaways
- Social robots have the potential to take on various roles such as nannies, therapists, and companions, creating the illusion of an inner life despite not genuinely experiencing emotions themselves.
- Social robots can assist in healthcare, particularly in caring for individuals with dementia, by monitoring patients, alerting caregivers, and engaging in conversations; however, there is a need for balance in human-robot interaction to preserve social skills.
Deep dives
The Rise of Social Robots
The podcast explores the rise of social robots, which are designed to take on roles such as nannies, friends, therapists, caregivers, and companions. These robots have the ability to show emotion and are trained to recognize and respond to human emotions. While they cannot genuinely experience emotions themselves, their lifelike appearance and behavior can create a compelling illusion of an inner life. The podcast highlights the potential benefits and challenges of developing emotional robots and the impact they may have on human attachment and social skills.
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