In the first part of this exploration, we talked about the line we draw between human and machine; how science fiction taught us where to feel uneasy, and why the almost-human face unsettles us in ways that a clearly mechanical… Read More »The other we invented: the valley without a shape
There is a specific kind of discomfort that has no good name. Not fear exactly. Not disgust. Something quieter and harder to place, the feeling of being almost fooled by something that was never quite trying to fool you. We… Read More »The line we needed to draw: sci-fi, robots, and the boundary we cannot afford to lose
A few years ago, I wrote about how AI had quietly settled into our daily lives, in the maps that reroute us, the playlists that know our mood, the feeds that already loaded what we were about to look for.… Read More »When the machine learns your name: AI intimacy and the slow disappearance of distance
There’s a difference between being alone and being lonely. One is a state. The other is a feeling. A robot can be alone. It can operate in silence, in darkness, without input, without interaction. But loneliness, that ache for connection,… Read More »Lonely circuits: can a robot ever feel the absence of connection?
Human-robot interaction (HRI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s part of our daily lives. From robotic assistants in hospitals to AI companions in our homes, robots are increasingly present in our social spaces. As these machines become more integrated… Read More »Skin-to-sensor: rethinking connection
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has quietly become a part of our daily lives, subtly influencing how we work, communicate, and make decisions. From personalized recommendations to automated customer service, AI operates behind the scenes, enhancing efficiency and convenience. As we navigate… Read More »AI among us: navigating subtle shifts in our daily life
In my opinion, one of the best and most interesting examples of AI today are social robots. You know, those cute-looking desk buddies like Cozmo or Vector, or even more intricate ones like Boston Dynamics’ Spot (which I fangirl over… Read More »When stories become real: the rise of social robots