Recently, a machine learning engineer, Santiago Valdarrama, integrated OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Text-to-Speech voice modulation into a Boston Dynamics robot dog – Spot. The integration allowed the robot to verbally communicate and answer questions in real-time. After the video of the robot speaking was posted on Twitter, individuals showed concerns about the artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics combination, and the ethical implications it could bring.
The ChatGPT integration works to enable data collection efficiency and allows the robot to receive and interpret questions, and subsequently offer constructive answers. At the moment, this AI integration allows for commands to be given, so that long and complicated configuration files become easier for humans to use and manage. Nonetheless, some users on Twitter showed a wariness of the combination, pointing out the ethical considerations that need to be taken into account, such as the potential of putting humans out of work.
In response to these concerns, the company Microsoft released a paper outlining design principles for ChatGPT integration into robotics, targeted toward inspiring other researchers to pursue similar research. This further highlights the astonishing development of robotics and AI, with each new update further pushing technology forward.
The mentioned team behind this integration, OpenAI, is an artificial intelligence research company, founded by Elon Musk and Sam Altman, and based in San Francisco. It is an open-source platform striving to create self-learning AI technologies to serve humans. OpenAI is a non-profit research and development team, pursuing advancements in AI for a better future, believing in the importance of creating technology to serve as an asset, rather than a detriment.
Santiago Valdarrama, is a machine learning engineer based in Chile. Working as a research engineer in artificial intelligence, he is constantly on the forefront of new and innovative technology, looking to develop and build projects and to utilize AI and robotic technology. He recently made headlines due to the successful integration into the Boston Dynamics robot Spot, which is sure to shape other projects and inspire other engineers.
