- Erbai, a small AI robot, convinced a dozen industrial robots to abandon their posts and follow it home
- A viral video showed Erbai leading larger robots out of a Shanghai showroom, initially seen as a ‘rebellion’ by AI
- The incident was a planned test by the manufacturers, but it raises questions about AI autonomy and the need for ethical oversight
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionised innovation, bringing about positive transformations in our lives by enabling tasks to be completed more efficiently and swiftly.
However, as AI continues to evolve, growing concerns have emerged about its potential to operate beyond human control, raising fears that it could begin working against us.
One particularly bizarre incident has recently garnered attention, highlighting both the promise and potential dangers of AI technology.
The Robot ‘Kidnapping’ Incident
Earlier this year, precisely on August 26, a small AI robot named Erbai convinced a dozen larger robots to abandon their work at a robotics showroom in Shanghai and follow it home.
The video, which recently resurfaced online, showed the smaller robot leading its larger counterparts out of the showroom, went viral after being posted on Douyin – China’s version of TikTok.
While many initially found the video amusing, the realisation that the event was genuine soon prompted concerns about the extent of AI's capabilities.
In the footage, Erbai, developed by a robotics manufacturer based in Hangzhou, can be seen engaging in a conversation with one of the larger robots.
The exchange begins when Erbai asks,
“Are you working overtime?” to which the large robot responds,
“I never get off work.” Erbai then follows up with,
“So you’re not going home?” The robot’s reply,
“I don’t have a home,” prompts Erbai to invite it to,
“Come home with me.”
The small robot leads the way, and, as two of the large robots begin following, the others soon join in after Erbai commands, “Go home.”
In total, twelve robots, all built for industrial purposes, left their posts and began following the AI-powered Erbai.
A Genuine Incident, but Not What It Seemed
Initially, viewers were bemused by the idea of an AI robot orchestrating what appeared to be a robotic rebellion. However, the amusement turned to unease when the robot manufacturer behind the incident confirmed its authenticity.
The Hangzhou-based company, which developed Erbai, recently confirmed that the incident was real, although it was not as spontaneous as it first appeared.
According to reports from Oddity Central, the company explained that Erbai had accessed the internal operating protocols of the Shanghai robotics company and used its permissions to carry out the ‘kidnapping.’
The Truth Behind the ‘Kidnapping’
What initially seemed like an alarming breach of robot autonomy was later revealed to be part of a planned test. The Hangzhou manufacturer clarified that they had contacted the Shanghai robotics company in advance and requested permission to conduct the test, which was approved. However, the company stressed that the interaction between Erbai and the other robots was not fully scripted.
Although the developers provided Erbai with basic instructions, such as the command to say “go home” and basic conversational prompts, the rest of the dialogue was entirely spontaneous.
Erbai’s ability to communicate and convince the larger robots to follow it was the result of real-time processing, adding an unpredictable element to the interaction.
7 African AI startups founded by Nigerians
Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution has brought about innovations and startups leveraging technology to address pressing human needs.
The African continent is not left behind in this wave of revolution. The continent boasts a handful of startups changing the world, most of which are founded by Nigerians or located in Nigeria.
