The power of AI
A CCTV security camera in an exhibition hall in Shanghai captured the moment a small robot asked others if they were ‘working overtime’ and escorted them away from their jobs.
The video went viral in China as the footage shows the small robot leading the larger machines out of the workplace.
It is thought it may be an artificial intelligence product from a rival manufacturer.
The small robot asks: “Are you working overtime?”
To which one of the large mechatronic products replies: “I never get off work.”
After this, the little leader manages to convince two others to ‘come home’ with him, at that moment the incident breaks out and 10 other robots follow close behind.
The video was taken in August but has only just become public and initially was thought to be staged, however the Shanghai robotics team assured that their machines were ‘hijacked’.
The leading robot was created by another manufacturer from Hangzhou, who confirmed its origin and name, Erbai.
The mechatronic product, which was responsible for approaching the other machines, was intended as a test and its creator company said that it contacted the Shanghai team and asked if they would allow their prototypes to be hijacked, to which they agreed.
Though the deal was made, no more details were revealed to the Shanghai team. Erbai was then ordered to convince the other robots to leave their places and follow him, which they did.
The Shanghai company confirmed the Hangzhou robot Erbai had somehow been able to access the internal operating protocol of their bots, as well as its corresponding permissions.
They also added that it is close to impossible for a robot to initiate a conversation and abduct other bots alone.
However, social media users were sceptical of the explanation and believe that it is quite terrifying that a robot with artificial intelligence is able to convince others to do what it asks of them.
