Elon Musk’s new Tesla robot, Optimus, has left people unnerved after a video of an “interview” with the android was posted online. During the chat, Optimus was asked what the hardest part of being a robot was. The robot responded with a chilling answer: “Trying to learn how to be as human as you guys are. And that’s something I try to do harder every day and I hope that you’ll help us become that.” The response sent shivers down the spines of many viewers, with some commenting that this feels like the start of a sci-fi movie where robots take over.
Optimus, unveiled at Tesla’s “We, Robot” event, was designed to mimic human movements and perform tasks such as walking dogs, grocery shopping, and even serving drinks. Musk envisions these robots as household assistants capable of fulfilling a wide range of domestic duties. However, the unsettling nature of the robot’s comments has sparked online debates, with some viewers wondering whether the AI’s responses were scripted or controlled by a human using VR.
The launch of Optimus has brought to life many people’s sci-fi fears of artificial intelligence surpassing human control, and the comparison to movies like I, Robot hasn’t gone unnoticed. Despite the impressive technological advancements, the robots’ human-like behaviors have sparked discussions about the potential risks associated with developing machines that can think and act on their own.
A conversation between Tesla Optimus bot and a human is the best thing you’ll see on the internet today.
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) October 11, 2024
pic.twitter.com/2M9UJPTTLX
Many are excited by the technological progress, but the video has left others feeling uneasy about the direction AI is heading. While Optimus is marketed as a harmless domestic assistant, its eerie answers have led some to wonder whether humanity should be more cautious when advancing this type of technology.
