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Robot intelligence and self-awareness: an ongoing debate

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No day passes without a major robot-related story on TV. Just today I heard the story of the robot in Japan who threw itself in front of a car to push its owner out of harm's way; this happened with the robot having no specific programming for such a reaction. Two days ago we heard about the three worker robots in Europe which, instead of turning themselves off after a day at the office, preferred to continue research on human psychology, of all topics. Again, an unexpected reaction not programmed into their software.

Without doubt the newer series of robots are evolving beyond the programming implanted in their microchips. This conclusion raises a series of legitimate questions: How is this type of evolution possible? How can robots have reactions and even interests that puzzle robotics engineers and laymen alike? And, more important of all, have robots become self-aware? These are the issues that have led to some of the most heated debates to be seen in recent years in both scientific circles and among the general public.

Based on results of more than 3 years of research we believe that certain robot models have the capacity to evolve in their abilities, knowledge and understanding of their environment. Furthermore, we believe there is strong evidence to support the conclusion that certain members of these series have become self-aware.

This point of view is shared by many reputable robotics, software and artificial intelligence researchers and engineers who base their opinions on hard facts and hundreds of research projects. A recent study released by the Department of Robotics at the University of New Yorkshire found that 54% of series SK-7 robots (popularly known as "sak-sevens") that were tested passed a Turing Test "without any reasonable doubt".

The avalanche of recent news stories is also winning the hearts of the general public. According to a poll released two weeks ago over 58% of the persons interviewed believe that "some robots have the ability to evolve beyond the specifications of their initial programming". The same poll also found that 34% of respondents believe that robots can show emotions and are self-aware.

How is this possible? Just half a decade ago the prospect of evolving, self-aware robots was as far-fetched as faster than light travel; robots seemed to be forever bound by the algorithms inscribed in their microchips, and to replace people in factories and offices only for jobs requiring predetermined sets of tasks, skills and reactions. But today we have robots that pilot ships to Mars, compose music for TV shows or trade stocks and bonds.

"Paradoxically, the evolution of robots towards learning and possibly self-aware artificial entities was made possible by advances in hardware, rather then software technologies", says Michael Starkson, an artificial intelligence professor at MHT. His colleague, Hirofumi Yamachida from the Japanese Institute for Advanced Studies, agrees: "If you think about it, the software algorithms that robots use today haven't changed a lot in the past decade. But in the same time-frame we have seen dramatic improvements in hardware efficiency".

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