Robots can never be human

Technology has progressed over the past couple of decades with the miracles of modern science developing robots and artificial intelligence that has made human life comfortable. Although science and technology has been assisting our lives in all fields, depending solely on it will not bode well for the human race. There should be a limit to the extent of using technology. It is of a paramount significance for doctors and engineers however, the option of replacing humans with robots will not work.

Humans crave for a relationship with other humans, and I think that only a human can deliver an emotional response. Robots are programmed to work in a certain way by the people who created them and even if artificial intelligence programs itself through experience, it can never replace a human, which is created by God.

While a robot can perform acts of all kinds, it will always be a man-made object, and will never acquire depth of mind and a heart to feel the world with.

From Mr Mohammad Omar Iftikhar

Karachi, Pakistan

Only a matter of time

The technology already exists! In Japan there has already been news of a robot that reads emotions and learns. Pepper the robot, who was created by a company called SoftBank, was unveiled earlier in 2014 confirms that it is only a matter of time. There have been jokes on television about people having emotional relationships with Siri, the voice assist on iPhones, but I think it shows that we are not far off from having robot-human relationships. Siri is also software that learns – she will say cheeky things that make you laugh. This is just the beginning and the technology is already generating emotional responses from humans.

From Mr Mitch Arthur

UAE

Unhealthy for humanity

The ever growing advancements in technologies and its addiction have virtually made people like moving machines. Artificial intelligence is fast replacing the humans through sentimental relations, family and social values into robotic culture.

No machine or robot on earth can give the sense of warmth and closeness as do human beings with one another. Replacing human relationships with artificial intelligence, especially for the socially inept, will only further divide being human and being humane. It will not only change the definition of human relationships, but it will create a complex society without the touch of human values for which the future generations will have to pay a heavy price.

From Mr Aslam Doi

Dubai

Waste of money

I think investing into robot technology is just wasting money. Robots will always be under the control of scientists, it can’t do anything but what it is told.

From Mr Abdur Rashid

Dubai

Robots are already here

But robots already have replaced people in many mega-factories! For example, some cars are built by robots in industrial complexes.

From Mr Engkab Chilmarzai

UAE

Human instincts are complicated

Although, I believe that robots will keep advancing in technology, I don’t think that they will get to a point of replacing human relationships. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston Dynamics and NASA are three American organisations that are doing incredible things in the field of robotics. They have made robots with human and animal characteristics in terms of movement, but will they be able to replicate human instincts and emotions? I think not. Companies may try, but I don’t think it will be good enough. We are too complicated.

From Mr Leo O.

Calgary, Canada

Creating peace and harmony

Humans as a species have evolved and are perpetually looking for permanent solutions in this temporary life. The idea of robots replacing human companionship or taking away loneliness has probably occurred to a kind soul who has been either socially inept or has had to face rejection of some sort due to various reasons.

Though it is very personal, living in harmony is most important in any society. Humans have to have peace of mind and satisfaction without which it will have a great impact on the social life of people. Everyone deserves to be happy in some way or another and if technology is used to create harmony among humans, then why not?

From Mr Ramaprasad Macharlu Srinivasamurthy

Dubai

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