Robot caretakers of the future

THE article “Caring robots” (The Star, Aug 26) about the potential use of robots as companions for the often-neglected aging population struck an unusual chord with me despite my teenage years. Between my grandparents and my experience with various nursing homes, I can see clearly that, swamped by the increasing demands of today’s world, people shunt the elderly aside in the most saddening of ways. Caretaking robots, therefore, could certainly cheer the old and weary, not to mention lighten the burden of their human caretakers.

The prospect of having sci-fi dreams turning into reality does inspire a certain thrill. Imagine having your very own robot! However, we need to tread this ground with extreme caution and deliberation. Is this the world we wish to create for ourselves? In 60 years, do I want my entertainment to be just from a humanoid robot? Could creating robots to keep lonely people company become a stepping stone for the AI revolution, culminating in a civilization where robots outnumber people? Of course, this may never happen. But modern society, leaping to usher in progress and new breakthroughs, regularly forgets to slow down, take a step back, and reflect on potential consequences.

We should temper the roaring blaze of technological advances with consideration for the values we may (or may not) leave in the dust, creating a balance that will, with hope, serve us and future generations for a very long time.