Episode 9: Robots and Feelings

What is a robot? Affective computing and personal robots (Cynthia Breazeal) Automation Beyond humanoid existence vs. uncanny valley Feelings and emotional purposes (Robot & Frank, Her) [SPOILER ALERT for Her 10:15–11:15] What’s shklerm? Instinct vs. knowledge The Twitter bot that became racist The Chinese Room Can a robot be a good consultant? Akinator Commercial: Escape the Rum What’s the difference between a robot and a tool? A refrigerating animal, the “wild freezer mammoth” Can a robot make ethical decisions? Robots and war If a robot can fool you into thinking it feels, does it matter if it really feels?