The AI robots are coming. The world is not ready

From the article

In a demonstration video from Google DeepMind, a robot arm delicately folds origami, packs snacks into Ziploc bags, and deftly manipulates objects with surprising precision. When an item slips from its grasp, the robot quickly readjusts and continues its task. These aren’t jerky, pre-programmed movements, but something more fluid and adaptive — the result of a new AI model called Gemini Robotics that the company unveiled earlier this month.

While the showcase focuses on robotic arms rather than full humanoid robots, the underlying technology is the same that will power the next generation of human-shaped machines. Google says its Gemini Robotics model is designed to “easily adapt to different robot types” and is already being tested with Apptronik’s humanoid Apollo robot.

“In order for AI to be useful and helpful to people in the physical realm, they have to demonstrate ‘embodied’ reasoning — the humanlike ability to comprehend and react to the world around us,” Carolina Parada, who leads the DeepMind robotics team, [said in a statement](https://deepmind.google/discover/blog/gemini-robotics-brings-ai-into-the-physical-world/).

The demonstration is part of a new wave of humanoid robots from tech giants like Google and Meta, and startups like Figure AI and Agility Robotics. They’re being pitched as the future of logistics and household chores. Perhaps no science fiction technology besides flying cars has tantalized us so much and for so long as the promise of robot helpers that would finally free us from the drudgery of dishes and laundry (OK, these stories have also scared us on occasion, too). Now, equipped with advanced AI models, these mechanical workers are taking their first tentative steps out of our imagination and into reality.

Does anyone else have a plan when Skynet decides humans are the threat?

What specific areas do you think we need to focus on to prepare for AI integration?

White collared jobs in danger in the short term, but if AI robots actually function as designed, many of the blue collar jobs will get papered over in the near future as well. Where does that leave humans? With universal basic income and virtual reality to pass the time.

I’ll take two Mr. Handy’s and one military-grade assaultron…please. Here’s my credit card number…

Had a guy ask me how robots were going to climb under houses and sweat pipe for plumbing. Said his jobs safe.
Nope. Not safe at all. Maintenance is the last job humans will have. Wiping lenses and clearing obstructions from sensors.