Opinion: The artificial intelligence field is infected with hype. Here's how not to get duped

It's theoretically possible that, as Musk claimed, humanoid robots may eventually bring about 'a fundamental transformation of civilisation as we know it'. But no one really knows when or if that utopia will arrive. Until then, the road will be pockmarked by hype. — Getty Images/TNS

The star of the show at Tesla's annual "AI Day" (for "artificial intelligence") on Sept 30 was a humanoid robot introduced by Tesla chief executive Elon Musk as "Optimus."

The robot could walk, if gingerly, and perform a few repetitive mechanical tasks like waving its arms and wielding a watering can over plant boxes. The demo was greeted enthusiastically by the several hundred engineers in the audience, many of whom hoped to land a job with Tesla.