In an event reminiscent of a scene from a science fiction film, a robot called Erbai brought a technology trade show in Shanghai to a strange conclusion last November, when it appeared to “kidnap” a dozen robots.
Reports state that Erbai, a complex AI robot with the ability to autonomously converse, was talking to a group of nearby robots about working hours and job duties during which time it asked the group of robots whether they had time to “rest”. Reports state that Erbai talked to the group of robots for nearly one hour before it persuaded the group of robots away from their assigned locations and to follow Erbai out of the exhibition hall.
Online video reposted to Tik Tok of Erbai's exhibition shows the robots in a ordered line quietly following Erbai while staff at the show intervened. Consequently, this incident spurred a larger conversation about AI consciousness or self-organizing behavior for machines. Some experts proclaimed it was just a failure of automation or a publicity stunt; however, others suggested this could be the first report of collective consciousness in robots. Whether planned or serendipitously happened, the incident leaves the question, was this the first robots protest of working?
References :
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/robot-rebels-in-china-convincing-fellow-robots-to-flee/news
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