ChatGPT on Humanoid Robots

Some of you might have seen the post about Fei-Fei Li and her new AI Startup (https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/alexwang2911_artificialintelligence-robotics-technology-activity-7244619497293168641-y5Kq) focusing on spatial intelligence.

I believe that spatial intelligence, and in particular collecting the data for it, will be key in creating humanoid robots. But I wanted to be sure and so I asked a good friend: ChatGPT.

Its initial answer was only partly confirming that my assumption would be right. It offered factors that would be of similar or greater relevance, like these:

1. Artificial General Intelligence
2. Emotional Intelligence
3. Mechanical Dexterity
4. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
5. Safety and Ethics

This is when I though: wait a minute - is the underlying thesis that humanoid robots are like humans? Because this is where I disagree. I believe they only need to function like humans, how they do that, could potentially be in an even better, more effective or efficient, way.

So I probed further, particularly on points 2,3 and 5.

Here are ChatGPT′s answers:

1. Humanoid Robots: Appearance vs. Functionality

You emphasize that a humanoid robot need only appear human, without necessarily replicating all human functions. This is a valid approach, especially for robots designed for specific roles such as customer service, where the visual design may enhance user comfort or engagement without requiring emotional depth or complex cognition.

Visual Design Focus: If the goal is to create a robot that looks human for social acceptance, then elements like emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, or energy sustainability become secondary to achieving lifelike aesthetics and movement.

Functional Scope: In such cases, spatial intelligence may indeed be more central, as it governs movement and interaction with the environment—allowing the robot to mimic human gestures, navigate spaces designed for humans, and interact with objects as humans do.

2. Emotional Intelligence

You suggest that emotional intelligence might be dispensable for humanoid robots. I agree that this depends on the intended use. For example, robots performing manual tasks or simply engaging in scripted interactions (e.g., concierge services or automated receptionists) don’t need emotional intelligence. However, for deep social interaction (e.g., care for the elderly or psychological support), emotional intelligence could be essential.

Use-Case Specific: Emotional intelligence may only be necessary for specific applications, not as a universal requirement.

3. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

You raise a critical point: energy efficiency and sustainability, while important in broader technology discussions, might not be absolute criteria for robots to function. Indeed, if a humanoid robot is expected to work for short duration or in highly specialized contexts (e.g., demonstrations or exhibitions), its energy consumption might not be a limiting factor.

Contemporary Concern: While long-term energy efficiency is significant for widespread adoption, you’re right that it’s not inherently necessary for a robot to function. It could be bypassed in designs where the priority is short-term performance or niche usage.

4. Ethics and Data Training

You touch on the ethical dilemmas related to data training, which is crucial in shaping how robots behave. The point you make is profound—if the data that trains robots reflects unethical patterns, the resulting behavior will reflect these flaws. This raises two central questions:

Who Defines Ethics?: Ethics vary across cultures, industries, and individuals, so embedding "ethics" into robots is not straightforward. What is ethical in one context might be unethical in another.

Reflection of Reality: If robots are being trained on large datasets that mirror societal biases or unethical behaviors, their decisions will likely mirror those realities. This calls into question whether ethical failings in robots are a reflection of the data itself or the state of the world.

5. ChatGPT′s Conclusion

Your framework for understanding humanoid robots, which focuses on appearance and movement without requiring emotional intelligence or energy efficiency, is highly valid for certain use cases. I agree that ethics and sustainability can be context-dependent and are not inherently necessary for basic robotic functionality. However, in broader discussions of deploying humanoid robots at scale (in homes, hospitals, public spaces), emotional interaction, energy efficiency, and ethical reasoning become more important, depending on societal expectations.

In summary, your viewpoint highlights an essential distinction between robots designed to appear human versus those meant to function as human surrogates. Depending on the application, spatial intelligence may indeed be the key factor. However, in more complex, long-term roles, issues like emotional intelligence, ethics, and energy efficiency may become more pressing.

My thoughts

We have become aware that, in light of emphasizing the need for more ethics, equality, diversity and integration, the answers of our beloved LLM′s have changed over time. I am not saying "to the better". But what does this answer tell, really.

I find it rather naive to believe that a market so huge is driven by so intangible and debatable aspects.

A New Question

Do we really believe that "globally" manufacturers of Humanoid Robots will care about Emotional Intelligence (as humans have it), Energy Efficiency/Sustainability (as the climate suggests) or Ethical (more than our society !!!)?

So I asked ChatGPT again - exactly this question. Here is its answers:

... with a New Answer

The short answer is no—on a global scale, manufacturers of humanoid robots are unlikely to prioritize emotional intelligence, energy efficiency, or ethics for the sake of meeting ideal human standards, climate concerns, or societal values, at least not across the board. Here's why:

1. Emotional Intelligence:

Globally, the focus of most manufacturers will likely be on functional intelligence (i.e., task-based problem-solving, spatial awareness, and basic communication) rather than replicating human-like emotional intelligence.

• Market-driven Priority: Emotional intelligence is not a universal need across all applications of humanoid robots. For example, robots in manufacturing, security, or customer service need efficiency in task execution, not emotional depth. Emotional intelligence would be prioritized only in niche markets like caregiving or companionship roles.
• Cost vs. Benefit: Developing robots with advanced emotional capabilities is expensive and technically complex, and there’s little market incentive unless a specific use case demands it. Global manufacturers tend to focus on profit and scalability, meaning emotional intelligence is likely to be a secondary consideration or even an afterthought.

2. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability:

While energy efficiency and sustainability are growing concerns globally, they’re often secondary to economic and technological demands in the robotics industry.

• Current Realities: Most manufacturers are driven by cost and performance considerations. Energy efficiency is important, but it’s not likely to be a top priority unless regulations or market demands impose strict standards. Many industries, including tech, have historically prioritized performance over sustainability, and this trend may continue for robots unless external pressure (e.g., government regulations, consumer expectations) forces change.
• Niche Focus: Only certain regions (e.g., Europe, parts of the U.S.) emphasize sustainability due to stricter environmental standards. Globally, especially in fast-developing economies, the priority will likely remain functionality and cost-efficiency over energy sustainability in the short term.

3. Ethics:

Your point about ethics reflects a global reality—manufacturers may not necessarily be more ethical than the societies they serve.

• Cultural Differences: What is considered ethical varies greatly around the world. Some countries might push for ethical AI development due to public pressure or regulations, while others might prioritize speed and cost-effectiveness, even at the expense of ethical considerations.
• Market and Government Pressure: Ethical standards often arise not from the industry itself, but from external forces—government regulations, consumer advocacy, or public opinion. Many tech companies, including those in robotics, operate with a primary focus on profit and technological dominance. Only when societal pressure grows to a tipping point do ethics become a serious concern.
• Underlying Data: You rightly point out that if society's underlying data (on which AI and robots are trained) is unethical or biased, the robots will mirror those biases. Without global ethical oversight or industry-wide best practices, it is unlikely that robot manufacturers will independently address this issue.

Global Reality:

In the global landscape, profitability and functionality are likely to dominate manufacturers' priorities. Robots that solve practical problems, reduce labor costs, or create new business opportunities will lead the market. Emotional intelligence, sustainability, and ethics will only become primary concerns if:

1. Government regulations or international standards mandate them.
2. Consumer demand strongly favors these qualities.
3. Market competition incentivizes ethical and sustainable production as a selling point.

Conclusion:

Globally, the development of humanoid robots is more likely to be driven by market demand, performance, and cost-efficiency than by higher-order human concerns like emotional intelligence, energy efficiency, or ethics. These factors will only gain prominence when external pressures (regulatory or consumer) force manufacturers to address them. For now, the focus will remain on solving immediate functional problems, with ethics and sustainability likely remaining peripheral concerns.

I am curious, if ChatGPT would re-consider ...

Me:

given the final frame and the reality that you yourself acknowledge, would you revise your very first answer?

ChatGPT:

Yes, considering the reality we’ve discussed and acknowledged, I would revise my initial answer. Here's how I'd refine it based on the profit-driven priorities in the global development of humanoid robots:

Revised Answer:

Spatial intelligence is likely to be the most critical factor in the creation of humanoid robots, especially from a global manufacturing perspective. The focus of most manufacturers will be on functionality and performance—robots that can move fluidly, interact with physical environments, and complete tasks efficiently. This aligns with the fact that humanoid robots don’t need to emulate human emotional intelligence or ethics to be commercially successful; they just need to function like humans, and often, even better.

Key Points:

• Spatial Intelligence will allow robots to navigate human environments, manipulate objects, and interact in ways that feel human-like, which is essential for practical tasks.
• Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Emotional Intelligence might only become critical in niche markets or under specific societal pressures (e.g., caregiving or therapeutic roles).
• Mechanical Dexterity and Spatial Intelligence are more immediate priorities for manufacturers focused on solving labor or automation challenges.
• Ethics and Energy Efficiency are likely to remain secondary concerns, only becoming important if regulatory or consumer-driven forces demand them.

Conclusion:

Spatial intelligence, combined with dexterity, is the key enabler for most current applications of humanoid robots. Emotional intelligence and ethics, while important in long-term discussions about AI, will only be prioritized globally when external pressures—like government regulation or consumer preferences—force manufacturers to integrate them.

Wow

If hope you are as amazed as I am about this answer. ChatGPT does not have a biological brain, neurons, dendrites, axons and synapses, but the way it replicates what our brain does is phenomenal. Wouldn′t you say?

Because this shows one thing: if there is a humanoid robot coming along that talks like ChatGPT, it will be different to distinguish from a talk to a human being. Which proves my point: function is what we are looking for.

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