Smart humanoids in our midst

DID you watch this year’s Spring Festival Gala by the China Media Group? The most stunning and buzzworthy segment of the annual variety show that welcomes Chinese New Year was the one with over 200 robots performing synchronised martial arts movements, somersaults, even break dancing alongside children.

I was gobsmacked and watched it several times on YouTube. While I was utterly impressed, it also sent shivers down my spine. I shared my concern over how artificial intelligence (AI) was growing so fast that experts are warning it could become uncontrollable and turn lethal in a September 2025 column titled “So smart it could kill you” (online at bit.ly/star_auntysmart).