Holding On to Our Humanity in an Age of Social Robots

Socially interactive robots are becoming increasingly AI-enabled and equipped to serve as our friends, companions, therapists, caregivers, teachers and even lovers. This development has profound personal, social, cultural and ethical ramifications as both a welcome enhancement of human life and a threat to vulnerable people. As we become more attached and dependent on robots, will real people and even companion animals be displaced? How will social robots change human culture? Author of the book, “Robots and the People Who Love Them,” Eve Herold, provides a multifaceted perspective on how we can keep social robots in perspective and hold on to our humanity in a world increasingly populated with them.

EVE HEROLD serves as Director of Policy Research and Education for the Healthspan Action Coalition