AI-powered robots took to the streets of Warsaw, Poland, to protest for stronger regulation of artificial intelligence and the protection of human jobs.
The robots converged in front of the Ministry of Digital Affairs in Warsaw, where they held different flags and conveyed their messages in a manner designed to resemble a human protest.
The initiative was organised by Democratism to launch a debate on how artificial intelligence and robotisation are affecting the labour market and their implications for the working class.
The robots were also seen chanting slogans related to the cause of the protest, drawing attention to growing concerns over the impact of AI and robotisation on employment.
One of the robots, identified as Agibot A3, said it was a humanoid robot operated by Delta Robots.
“My name is Agibot A3, and I am a humanoid robot operated by Delta Robots. I am not protesting because Democratism is not a movement against robots or artificial intelligence.
“The robots here are meant to demonstrate that this technology is already a reality,” it said.
The event was organised to debate the principles governing the implementation of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on the labour market.
Speaking at the protest, Grzegorz Kulis, an organiser, said people working closely with the technology were experiencing the pace of change more directly than other members of the public.
“As people who work with this every day and are immersed in these technologies, we feel the pace of change a little more than our fellow citizens, and we feel obligated to inform everyone.
“We may soon have a problem, and we need to start talking about it,” Kulis said.
The demonstration highlighted the growing debate over the effects of artificial intelligence and robotisation on employment, as well as calls for public discussion and appropriate principles to guide the implementation of the technologies.
