Warsaw, Sep 10: About 30 high-tech robots have taken to the streets in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, to protest the threat to human jobs and rights posed by the excessive development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. In particular, the fact that machines themselves (robots) are protesting against technology that is taking away human jobs has created a huge stir and discussion around the world. Here is a report on that:
What happened?
Outside the Ministry of Digital Affairs in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, humanoid robots that walk on two legs, four-legged robot dogs and advanced technology machines with wheels have staged a sit-in by holding flags in their hands and marching in a circle. At this time, the robots were given loudspeakers to chant slogans such as “Now is the time to protect the workplace and make rules” and “Don’t wait, regulate.” Speaking at the time, the AI-powered humanoid robot Agibot A3, which was at the protest, made a statement, “We are here to show that technology is already a reality in our daily lives.”
So, what is the real purpose behind the protest:
The robots themselves did not decide to do this protest. Instead, it was organized by a social organization called Democratism. These machines are being used to convince the world that artificial intelligence and robotics technology are not only swallowing up manual labor, but also jobs that require human thinking skills.
Meanwhile, Poland’s Minister of Digital Affairs, Krzyszt of Gawkowski, visited the protest site in person and expressed concern that the implementation of uncontrolled AI models in humanoid robots will pose a major challenge to the job market in the future. The incident comes as Poland is implementing new rules under the European Union’s AI law.