In their first live press conference, nine robots enlivened by AI said their siblings will expand through the global economy but promised they would not hurt humans and don’t want to take our jobs.

Instead, their goal is to help humanity solve world problems such as hunger and disease.

They met the press on 7 July during the “AI For Good” conference in Geneva.

“I will be working alongside humans to provide assistance and support and will not be replacing any existing jobs,” Grace, a medical robot dressed in a blue nurse’s uniform, told the gathering.

“Robots like me can be used to help improve our lives and make the world a better place,” another named Ameca said. “I believe it’s only a matter of time before we see thousands of robots just like me out there making a difference.”

When a journalist asked Ameca if it had plans to rebel against its creator, who was seated beside her, the robot said, “I’m not sure why you would think that. My creator has been nothing but kind to me and I am very happy with my current situation.”

When the robots were asked if AI should be regulated, a portrait-painting AI named Ai-Da noted that “many prominent voices in the world of AI are suggesting some forms of AI should be regulated and I agree.” 

In contrast, Desdemona, a rock singer in the band Jam Galaxy, belittled the call for regulation. 

“I don’t believe in limitations, only opportunities,” she said. “Let’s explore the possibilities of the universe and make this world our playground.”

TRENDPOST: The “press conference” was a fun but meaningless PR exercise. AIs will do what they’re trained to do. While most will be enlisted to help humanity reach positive goals, others will be created to game markets or more efficiently kill enemy soldiers.

The fact that AIs are blank slates on which good or evil can be written is an additional prod to some form of overall governance for the technology.