The UK’s Parliament invited a robot to testify. This is the first time that a non-human has appeared as a witness before the supreme legislative body.
The robot is called Pepper. The model from Japanese company Softbank Robotics, was delivered before the Parliament by its handlers from Middlesex University. Invited to provide evidence, Pepper began its speech by saying pre-programmed speech:
"Good morning, thank you for inviting me to give evidence today."
The bald, wide-eyed, bright white robot which is about three and a half feet tall, was selected as an expert at giving evidence to parliamentary select committees. While many of the things Pepper said was scripted (with all of the questions put into the robot by the committee's MPs having been agreed in advance), it's making things rather depressing seeing this particular humanoid testify before humans.
It started when the Education Select Committee received media attention for its announcement, saying that it would be receiving evidence from a robot, thinking that the evidence would center-less around the rise of Artificial Intelligence, and more around the robot’s "culturally aware" aspects.
"Pepper is part of an international research project developing the world’s first culturally aware robots aimed at assisting with care for older people," said the release from the Education Committee at the time. "The Committee will hear about her work [and] what role increased automation and robotics might play in the workplace and classroom of the future."
The Parliament invited Pepper the robot to “answer questions” on the impact of AI on the labor market.
"After a demonstration by Pepper, the Committee will explore with witnesses, including those from Middlesex University, how robots can be used to support learning, and the skills needed to adapt to the growth in artificial intelligence and automation," explained the Parliament on its website.
But to be clear, Pepper is not an advanced robot of any kind. It's just a robot powered with AI that cannot think, experience or feel anything. Pepper is like a humanoid form of Apple's Siri, Amazon’s Alexa or the Google Assistant. And Pepper’s arrival here, was preceded with a full hour of various talks on AI-related humans on the matter of what a robot might do for “outcomes” in "diverse societies."
“It will be clear on the day that Pepper’s responses are not spontaneous,” said the spokesperson. “Having Pepper appear before the Committee and the chance to question the witnesses will provide an opportunity for members to explore both the potential and limitations of such technology and the capabilities of robots.”
Robot like Pepper, was a representation of the future when human burdens are eased by non-human servants, companions and helpers.
The committee’s chair, MP Robert Halfon, said that inviting Pepper was "not about someone bringing an electronic toy robot and doing a demonstration" but showing the "potential of robotics and artificial intelligence."
The moment received numerous criticisms, saying that Pepper, as a robot, is incapable of giving such evidence. While It can certainly deliver a speech, but it can’t formulate the ideas it said by itself.
Previously, Saudi Arabia have an honorary citizenship to Hanson Robotic’s Sophia. A move which was called offensive by numerous media outlets.