In this photo taken Tuesday, May 17, 2016, retirees look at Ah Tie robots at a nursing home in Hangzhou in eastern Chinas Zhejiang province. Developed by a local company, these are the first batch of robots designed for nursing homes in Hangzhou, capable of monitoring life vitals, video conferencing and other caring functions. (Chinatopix via AP) CHINA OUT
THE article “Caring robots” (The Star, Aug 26) about the potential use of robots as companions for the often-neglected aging population struck an unusual chord with me despite my teenage years. Between my grandparents and my experience with various nursing homes, I can see clearly that, swamped by the increasing demands of today’s world, people shunt the elderly aside in the most saddening of ways. Caretaking robots, therefore, could certainly cheer the old and weary, not to mention lighten the burden of their human caretakers.
The prospect of having sci-fi dreams turning into reality does inspire a certain thrill. Imagine having your very own robot! However, we need to tread this ground with extreme caution and deliberation. Is this the world we wish to create for ourselves? In 60 years, do I want my entertainment to be just from a humanoid robot? Could creating robots to keep lonely people company become a stepping stone for the AI revolution, culminating in a civilization where robots outnumber people? Of course, this may never happen. But modern society, leaping to usher in progress and new breakthroughs, regularly forgets to slow down, take a step back, and reflect on potential consequences.
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