How to think like a roboticist anthropologist
Anthropologist and Roboticist entrepreneur Lora Koycheva on Robots and the Human Condition
"How do we ask questions of what it means to be human today, what it's always meant to be human. And what it can mean to be human tomorrow. Especially in a world that's increasingly having AI and big data machine learning sensors and more physical pieces."
It’s cool, I’m with you - both cautiously optimistic and simultaneously quite unsettled by the rapid pace of change brought on by AI. What does this mean for how we work? how we learn? how we interact with one another and digital worlds? In all this hullabaloo, Lora Koycheva helped me realize how to ask better questions around robotics and AI.
In the modern world, technology is rapidly evolving, and the focus of attention on research and development is often on the newest digital trends. However, it is important to remember that these technologies are, rely on, or are experienced through physical systems. They require mechanical infrastructures. To better understand and define the present and future we want, we must look beyond the digital interfaces and also focus on the physical aspects of these systems.
Anthropology is a fundamentally embodied form of inquiry, asking questions about what it means to be in the world and how we move about the world in relation to having bodies. By looking at robotics and cyber-physical systems through this lens, we can ask not only what they afford people (what they allow people to do), but also what they could do for other non-human entities, such as trees or bumblebee populations. In this way, mechanics and hardware are just as essential, if not more so, than software and operating systems.
Our mission is to help prepare society to live with and eventually, why not as robots? - Lora Koycheva
The work and thought of Laura Koycheva, an anthropologist and robotics entrepreneur, provides a great example of how anthropology can be used to innovate in this space. As co-founder of a global initiative aimed at rebuilding the human condition with robots, she seeks to prepare society for a future where humans live alongside, and even as robots. She believes that anthropology helps us recognize the uneven relationships that humans have with ecosystems and non-human species. She brings together anthropology and cyber-physical systems in order to open up concepts like robots-as-infrastructure and to ask how infrastructure can address these uneven relationships humans have with their co-inhabitants.
How to think like a roboticist anthropologist
In her work, Lora encourages others to embrace the possibilities of robotics as a positive and transformative technology. She believes robotics are an incredible opportunity to understand and deepen our relationship with the physical world. She is also an advocate for creating an ethical framework for robotics, to ensure that they are respectful of humans and our environment. As a result, her and her co-founder are creating an initiative to ensure that robots are safe, secure, and beneficial for all. She believes that our current technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way we think about the world, and that robotics can be a part of that.
Ask questions about what it means to be human today and how to prepare society to live and eventually interact everyday with robots.
Consider how robotics technology will intersect with existing social and political structures and how it will affect the way we interact with each other. How can robots help to bridge the gap between different groups of people and how can we use robotics to build trust between different groups? How can robotics technology help to empower those who have been traditionally disenfranchised and what new ethical considerations need to be taken into account when implementing robots into our lives? Beyond this, it is also important to consider the implications of robotics technology from an economic perspective. How can robotics technology help to reduce economic inequality and create a more equitable society? In what ways could it make inequality worse? What economic considerations should be taken into account when designing robots for different purposes? By asking these questions, we can begin to understand the wider contours and implications of robotics technology and to steer development to improve our lives.
In many industries, robots are being used to automate tasks, reduce waste and speed up production. Automation is reducing the need for human labor, and this can be both a positive and a negative. On one hand, robots can help increase efficiency and reduce costs, but on the other hand, they can also cause job losses and reduce economic output. In addition to economic impacts, robots can also have a positive impact on the environment. For example, robots can help reduce water and energy consumption, and they can also be used to help clean up hazardous materials.
Navigating the Ethical Challenges of AI and Robotics
When considering robots and their impact on the human condition, it is important to consider the ethical implications that come with their use. Ensuring that these technologies are developed and deployed responsibly and equitably is of paramount importance. This entails addressing concerns such as privacy, security, human rights violations, and the potential for AI-driven robots to replace human labor. As the AI and robotics fields continue to merge, an ongoing conversation must be held around these ethical challenges to balance innovation with the best interests of humanity. Lora addresses the importance of navigating ethical challenges when discussing AI and robotics. She cautions against the potential misuse of AI-driven robots and stresses the need for transparent and accountable practices in the development and deployment of these technologies. Lora emphasizes the significance of engaging in ethical discourse throughout the innovation process, considering both the positive and negative ramifications of advancements in AI and robotics.
How can recognizing the physical side of robots help us address these possibilities head on?
Recognize the physical side of robots, or what Lora calls the ‘ro’ side of ‘robot.’
Robotics technology is still in its early stages, and many of its potential applications remain untapped. As such, there is a need to explore the possibilities of robots, and ask ourselves how they can be used to make our lives easier, safer, and more efficient.
The physical side of robots focuses our attention on how robots can interact with their surrounding environment. How could robots be used to interact with the world in ways that humans cannot? For example, robots can be used to do tasks such as navigating through physical environments that are unsafe for humans such as areas in factories with high temperatures or where humans can’t easily fit like small spaces in construction areas. They can pick up and carry objects and sense changes in the environment we may not be able to, such as the presence of carbon monoxide. They can also be used to explore new frontiers, and to help us gain a better understanding of our universe.
Additionally, robots can be used to assist humans in a variety of ways, from supporting medical needs to providing assistance with household tasks. On the assistance spectrum we can think about how robots can be used to help those with mobility issues, physical support needs, sensory input challenges like low vision or deafness. Task automation is already a hot topic for AI, and the question is how robots and other physical systems can play a role in freeing up time for us to focus on more meaningful pursuits in ways that digital only tech cannot.
As we’re already seeing with the emergence of so-called emotional generative AI or companion bots, the emergence of physical systems can do more than offer physical assistance and potentially provide emotional support. (See also boibot and evie for more digital examples). We’re no where near the autonomous(?) full human-like embodied robots in I, Robot (sorry, Will), but Boston Dynamics’ Spot is drawing inspiration from man’s best friend, and quickly bringing to life what a mobile, physical robot can do in the world.
It is clear that humans and bots can coexist. We have seen this in the recent explosion of chatbots, which are powered by artificial intelligence, and how they can be used to help us ask questions and receive answers in a more “human-like” manner. (For some skepticism see Emotional AI is No Substitute for Empathy). Here, too, we must then ask what can we learn from primarily digital interactions that may inform our future with more physical machines.
There are still many potential pitfalls that could arise from the integration of robots into our society. One of the biggest fears is that robots could become too powerful and take over, leading to a dystopian future. This is one story. And it is premised on physical systems that are capable of hurting or killing people. (Yes, such machines already exist). But the question I want to raise here is how many other stories about our future could we tell? For one, I highly recommend Becky Chambers’ A Psalm for the Wild Built - (Anthrocurious affiliate bookstore*). This is why it is so important to use anthropology to more deeply unpack the underlying narratives we draw on to storytell our futures and possibilities and implications of robotics and AI.
Ultimately, technology is neutral. It is what we choose to do with the tools we create that determine their place on our moral compass.
Cities as robots: think bigger.
Robots have long been seen as a tool for the future, with many believing that they can help to build a better world. But what exactly do robots have to offer to this effort? The answer is, quite a lot.
Lora embraces the idea that robots can be used to extend our own capabilities and serve as infrastructure for the ecosystem we live in, allowing us to ask questions that were previously unanswerable. The idea of cities as robots is a provocative one that can help us to think bigger about how we can use technology to shape and, hopefully, improve our lives. By using robots and AI to monitor and manage our cities, we can create more efficient and effective ways of living.
Imagine the city as a cyber-physical network. We’re not just talking about robots walking or rolling around the streets. Think smart traffic lights and even smaller like sensors you can stick on the inside of a drain pipe, or a smoke alarm wifi connected to the central fire station. Robots are able to help cities in a variety of ways, from helping to reduce pollution and traffic congestion to helping to construct and maintain infrastructure. Artificial intelligence can be used to analyze data and provide insights that can help cities make better decisions. For example, AI can be used to analyze traffic patterns and suggest alternative routes to reduce pollution and congestion. This can help to reduce pollution and improve the overall quality of life in cities.
On-demand infrastructure and construction robotics are also becoming increasingly popular. This technology allows cities to respond to changes in traffic patterns and other factors in real time. You probably already participate in one form of this if you use a GPS or maps software while driving. Then, think bigger: what if bike lanes could be created on the fly and road lanes changed in response to traffic patterns?
Robots can also be used to help cities become more efficient. By using AI and robotics, cities can reduce their energy consumption and waste. For example, robots can be used to monitor water usage and detect leaks, helping to conserve resources. They can also be used to monitor air quality and detect pollutants, helping to keep cities clean and safe.
Robots can also be used to help us better understand the social world around us. New data could offer insights into how people live and interact with their environment. This data can be used to inform decisions about how to improve cities and societies. Robots can also be used to monitor public safety, allowing them to detect potential threats and alert authorities in the event of an emergency. Though this sounds more like science fiction at the moment, consider how robotics could be used to help cities become more inclusive and equitable. What if there were robots and AI to monitor public spaces to detect discrimination, (here’s an article on mixed methods research for detecting hate speech and disinformation at scale).
Finally, robots can help cities become more sustainable. By using robots and AI to monitor energy and water usage, cities can reduce their carbon footprint and help to create a more sustainable future. Additionally, robots can be used to monitor ecosystems and help to ensure that they are protected. This can help to ensure that cities are able to provide a safe and healthy environment for both humans and animals. And robots don’t only have to interact with humans. As Lora shares, consider how robotic sensors could give us new insight into honey bee populations, migrations of birds or new growths of seasonal plants.
However, while robots and AI can be used to build better worlds, it is important to remember that they are only tools. It is up to us to ensure that they are used responsibly and with consideration for the bigger picture. And that means understanding how and why different cyber physical systems are created, deployed and their (un)intended consequences.
Put your anthropologist hat on with engineers
Engineers have a responsibility to think about the ethical implications of their work. This means understanding the potential risks and benefits of their work, and taking steps to ensure that their work does not cause harm to people or the environment. They must also consider the potential for unintended consequences of their work, and take steps to guard against them.
This is why it is so important for engineers to have conversations with people from other disciplines, such as social science, to gain a better understanding of the implications of their work. For example, a conversation between an engineer and an anthropologist about the value of legs in bipeds can help the engineer to understand how their work can affect the lives of people, and how they can create robots and AI that are beneficial to society.
It is also important for engineers to be aware of the potential dangers of their work. For example, if a robot is designed to be too powerful, it could potentially be used to cause harm. Similarly, if AI is used without proper safeguards, it could be used to discriminate against certain groups of people.
Engineers play an important role in creating the future. They must take responsibility for the ethical implications of their work, and take steps to ensure that their work is beneficial to society. Anthropologists need to be at the table too. Not just to offer critical thinking, but to participate in design, development, deployment and assessment too. Robotics and AI for that matter are too large of areas to be left to one or a few disciplines. By having conversations with people from other disciplines, we all can gain a better understanding of the potential risks and benefits of robotics and AI and take steps to ensure that they are used responsibly and ethically.
There’s a lot here, and I recommend you check out Lora Koycheva on This Anthro Life for more in-depth conversation.
What are your takeaways and thoughts? Are you working with robotics and AI or are you robot-curious? Can we think of cities as robots? What can we do to ensure more ethical and responsible development of cyber-physical systems? Sound off in the comments below!