The line between humans and robots

In her book, ‘Alone Together’, Turkle (2012) explores the vast similarities and differences which link and separate us from Artificial Intelligence (AI). With increasing developments in AI, especially the ‘humanoid’ robots designed to resemble humans, the line between human and robot is becoming arguably blurred and prompts great philosophical discourse.

Perhaps the most obvious difference appears to be the lack of a biological element to AI or lack of autonomy to act of their own volition. However, it is worth considering the programming of AI which functions similarly to the human brain and the way in which it stores and processes information. In fact, this is where the term AI is drawn from, as technology acquired certain depths to its acquisition and adaptability to knowledge akin to that of human intelligence (Turkle, 2012). Given this artificial emulation of cognition, it is perhaps not so inconceivable to learn that other biological functions are being simulated and integrated into robotics. This will allow for further artificial emulations of the human organism and potentially increase machines capacities for autonomy, an awareness of self, and sensing the stimuli of their environment (McNeese & McNeese, 2020; Kernbach, Meister, Schlachter, Jebens, Szymanski, Liedke & Ricotti, 2008). If experts continue to artificially recreate what is known of the inner-workings of the human body, there is potential for this divide between humans and robots to reduce even further.

If it is not biology that can define a clear line, perhaps it is the spiritual concept of the mind or soul in the human experience that is irreplaceable. This barrier may also be challenged by the Japanese culture, which is renowned for the embracement of AI as well as nature. Two aspects which, again may at first, seem incompatible. Shinto is a religion in Japan which teaches belief in Kami, kinds of deities, and that everything, even an inanimate object, has a soul. This includes robotics and may explain the willingness to accept the evolution and integration of robots within Japanese society (Geraci, 2006). The often philosophically debated ‘body-mind problem’, which questions whether the mind can exist without the body, is also answered by Japanese culture. According to beliefs, one cannot exist without the other. Therefore, if there is a physical vessel, whether it be artificial or biological, it is believed there is a mind and spirit inextricably linked. This appreciation for objects as well as biological life may explain why Japanese AI values the human aspects of robotics and why Western designed AI is concerned more with transcending the limitations of an earthly body (Geraci, 2006).

Regardless of personal beliefs, it seems that the line differentiating humans from robots is only getting narrower. Currently, it seems that the only aspect preserving any kind of line is the time remaining for theoretical developments to successfully take form. As the machines become increasingly autonomous and roboticists artificially emulate more of the human body, there certainly seems to be an evolution within robotics on the horizon.

References

Geraci, R. M. (2006). Spiritual robots: Religion and our scientific view of the natural world. Theology and Science, 4(3), 229–246. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14746700600952993?casa_token=LE0QdZf8DRcAAAAA%3AW8vO2xTw4MQmCytP1K6Q7QE6-ASHOM5GlH3v_hygAvY8LburdCjDswMMUNZpR3_cmBxTgSnQmxgOmQ

Kernbach, S., Meister, E., Schlachter, F., Jebens, K., Szymanski, M., Liedke, J., … & Ricotti, L. (2008). Symbiotic robot organisms: Replicator and Symbrion projects. In Proceedings of the 8th workshop on performance metrics for intelligent systems (pp. 62–69). https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/1774674.1774685?casa_token=SasTJw9bePsAAAAA:ccMx1C6tXxXFerhHT3_2LecX6N-YMp_7S0wn5208-HaubdJ_YY1YbOlSZeYCLI091U8J2qUj-fyPDQ

McNeese, M. D., & McNeese, N. J. (2020). Humans interacting with intelligent machines: at the crossroads of symbiotic teamwork. In Living with robots (pp. 165–197). Academic Press. https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/B9780128153673000098?token=0B91A382A0D195E538CFB9E0DDDEE3A9FD3A5F44EFBAA040E57776E81AE9B846ADFF8DA6B92332EBDD05AD1303ABC204&originRegion=eu-west-1&originCreation=20220113023138

Turkle, S. (2012). Alone together: Why we expect more from technology and less from each other. Basic Books.