Question

 

The TED talk by Katherine Kuchenbecker was extremely controversial and brought about different aspects of robots and AI that I had previously never thought of. Throughout her video, she focuses on Haptics, which refers to touch technology. As we are aware, this is one of the things that differentiates us from robots, thus the controversial debate begins. Should we give robots the power to feel and touch, just like humans do? I believe that there are both positive and negative outcomes that can erupt from doing such a thing. On the one hand it can be beneficial in some medical fields such as dentistry in which people would become more experienced and knowledgeable before they actually begin their job as a dentist as they would be able to detect cavities based on their feel through this innovative technology. Another example that I enjoyed learning about and thought that was great was when it comes to exhibit museums. There are many instances in which we are not allowed to touch a work of art or sculpture and it is very hard to imagine how if would make us feel. If this were to be achieved through this new technology without actually having to touch the sculpture itself, it could really change and challenge the way we see and experience art. However, although there might be some positive aspects to this technology, there are also disadvantages that come with it. I really believe that feel and touch are senses that differentiate us from robots and it is a difference that makes us special and unique. I think that giving up this privilege could bring about negative consequences within society and provide people with fake and false confidence. I think that if this technology develops, we have to be careful with the way we manage it and we should consider not completely giving up all of the things that make us unique and special such as the fact that we can touch and feel.

Answer 1

"If anything in this universe is truely unidirectional then its only "advancement in science". Science and Technology only advances from one stage to the next, it never degrades. Hence, whether or not we favour it, it will keep advancing. Its upto us to use this advancement in the right direction."

The above quoted lines itself establishes that "Haptics in Robots" is a part of advancement in AI and we cannot deny from it. With AI being the most trendy research topics these days, this advancement has to happen. We may ignore it for sometime due to the disadvantage it brings(i.e., eradicates ine of the basic difference between man and robot; sensation or haptics), but as science only advances hence it has to be there some day if not now.

So, instead of the debate of whether its beneficial or not, we have to accept that it is the future science and we have to put it in a proper way. And if it so, then we cannot start with a technology favouring its disadvantage. Hence, Haptics in robot is definetely an advantage to humans.

Medical science can be the best ever application to this AI technology. Operations can be performed with extreme high precision and thus can be more efficient.

It would be truely a new experience and adventure for the world if they would be able to feel the things they have never felt before.

Industries too could be highly benefited as the delicate and most inticate detection could be possible with the help of this technology which earlier was man dependent.

If this technology is put to work then this would definetely halfen the human effort. It would not only be the most efficient technology but also a new era of humans and robots. May be this technology may help to put robots to outer planets and have a better chance to seach an alternate earth.

Thus, we cannot deny the benefits of this new AI discovery. But, as every coin has two sides, undoubtedly this technology would bring some disadvantages with it too. It can question the real existence of humans. But we know, the coming era is of HUMAN-ROBOT FRIENDSHIP. And as a good friend we can afford to have Haptics in our friend. !!