Artificial intelligence is bringing robots a step nearer to the public consciousness as we question the myriad uses of machines that can deliver our food, drive our cars, and maybe even do our jobs. There are those who would want to remove human interactions from the vulnerable in our society and replace their caregivers with robots, for example.
Japan wanted robots to help care for the elderly. The country has been developing robots to care for older people for over two decades but fortunately, so far, they haven’t taken off. It seems these robots are too expensive to buy or lease and a growing body of evidence is finding that robots tend to end up creating more work for caregivers. Nothing can replace the respectful loving care of one human for another.
Aside from the physical and mental health benefits of human-human interactions, even if a robot is human-like or mimics our behaviour, when it comes to what should be daily interactions with others it’s not only that interacting with a robot feels “not right” but it’s creepy and we should reject it.
Read more: Robot “companions” is a betrayal of the elderly
