Heartware Update
Making AI Less Artificial and More Affectionate
Social Interaction
When we think about what brings us to life, it's not just our physical presence; it's our ability to connect, understand, and sympathize with others. This element of social interaction is what truly breathes life into our existence, defining a crucial aspect of creatureness. It's in the shared glances, the unspoken understanding, and the comfort of presence.
Traditionally, AI has been viewed in terms of logic and tasks. However, we are currently witnessing a revolutionary transition. AI is entering the complex world of social interaction. This evolution isn't just about programming responses; it's about embedding AI with the essence of creatureness – the ability to interact, connect, and emotionally engage (Broadbent et al., 2023).
Vector
Vector, a tiny robot by Anki, exemplifies this new era of AI. Vector isn't just programmed to perform tasks; it's designed to be a companion. It interacts in an incredibly lifelike manner, thanks to voice and face recognition. When Vector responds to your call, greets you with its eyes, or shows excitement, it's demonstrating a fundamental shift from AI as a tool to AI as a companion.
Vector is more than just a technological innovation; it is a pioneer in the field of social AI. Its interactions may be small (a beep in response to your touch, a turn of its head as you enter the room) but they signify something far larger: AI's ability to grasp not only tasks but also humans.
When we incorporate AI like Vector into our life, we are introducing entities that can replicate the details of social interaction. This offers up a world of possibilities for AI in areas such as emotional support, companionship, and even social development.
Jibo
In addition to Vector and the conceptual Echobud, Jibo stands as another significant example in the realm of social AI. Jibo, often referred to as the "first social robot for the home," was designed with the goal of being part of the family. It could engage in conversations, recognize and track faces, and even exhibit playful personality traits, like dancing to music.
Jibo's design revolved around the idea of creating an emotionally engaging experience with users. It used natural language processing to understand and respond to user queries in a conversational manner. Its ability to turn towards the person speaking and make eye contact through its digital face display added a personal touch to its interactions, making it feel more like a companion than a device.
Echobud
In our investigation of AI's role in social relationships, I introduce "Echobud," a concept AI companion. Echobud goes beyond normal answers, looking for ways to understand and react to its users' emotional states. This envisioned AI is capable of understanding and responding to the complexities of human emotions, rather than simply reacting to human inputs.
Echobud would be a small, aesthetically pleasing robot inviting interaction. Equipped with advanced AI, it would use voice analysis, facial recognition, and environmental sensors to understand and adapt to its owner's mood and context. The core of Echobud’s design is its emotional intelligence. Unlike Vector, which responds to direct interactions, Echobud would proactively seek to improve its owner's mood. For example, if it senses stress or sadness in its owner’s voice, it might play soothing music or initiate a comforting light display. When it detects happiness or excitement, it could amplify that joy with playful interactions.
Vector, Jibo and the Echobud concept demonstrate how far AI has come. It is no longer simply about executing tasks; it is about understanding and responding to our emotions. These robots demonstrate that AI can be more than just machines; they can be companions that truly 'get' us, moving us closer to a future in which technology understands and interacts with humans in a more humane manner.
“Enhancing Social Connectedness With Companion Robots Employing AI,” Elizabeth Broadbent, Mark Billinghurst, Samantha G. Boardman, P. Murali Doraiswamy. Science Robotics, July 12, 2023. DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.adi6347
