Newsletter Archives

• Can we align human interests with robots, so they don’t turn on us?

  Posted on August 5, 2024 at 02:43 CDT by B. Livingston • Comment in the Forums

  PUBLIC DEFENDER

  

  By Brian Livingston

  Robots in human-like forms are already starting to assume jobs that have been performed for centuries by ordinary workers in manufacturing, logistics, and other industries.

  This is my second column in a two-part series. The first installment described humanoid bots that are faster than humans at certain tasks, much stronger in moving heavy objects, and far lower in cost than the labor force in most industrialized nations. Employers are currently paying only $10 to $12 per hour for bots when averaged over the useful lives of the mechanical workers.

  The outlay is expected to fall into the $2 to $3 per hour range, plus software costs, as soon as mass-production scale is achieved, which is projected to occur as early as 2025.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.32.0, 2024-08-05).

  Public Defender AI, Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, Isaac Asimov, Newsletters, Robots

• Powerful humanoid robots will take all blue-collar jobs

  Posted on July 22, 2024 at 02:44 CDT by B. Livingston • Comment in the Forums

  PUBLIC DEFENDER

  

  By Brian Livingston

  The day when robots in human-like forms take over most unskilled jobs has arrived sooner than you may have thought possible.

  Robotics experts are agog over new artificial beings that appear to move about by themselves, learn skills by imitating humans, and are cheaper to employ than human workers by an order of magnitude.

  A company based in Shenzhen, China — Astribot Inc. — has sparked awe and wonder through the release of a video that shows a remarkable new mechanical servant. Known as the S1 robot, it demonstrates skills beyond the capabilities of most human beings you probably know.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.30.0, 2024-07-22).

  Public Defender Agility Robotics, Amazon, Astribot, Figure 01, Figure AI, Newsletters, Robots