UN to Showcase Humanoid Robots at International Conference in Switzerland

The UN's technological agency will showcase humanoid robots at an international conference held in Switzerland on the 6th and 7th of July. Representatives of the agency aim to demonstrate the potential of this technology in improving people's lives, according to Reuters.

Among the robots presented at the conference, there will be well-known models equipped with caregiving skills. For instance, the social robot named "Nadine" is capable of simulating emotions and memorizing information about individuals. These robots are already successfully employed in assisting elderly residents in private homes.

"The idea is to showcase their abilities, possibilities, and challenges to initiate a global dialogue on robotics for the greater good. We are now at a turning point where material science, battery life, connectivity, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are converging to make robotics more accessible," stated Frederic Werner, Head of Strategic Engagement Division at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

An expert suggests that humanoid robots could gain popularity over the next five years, similar to how generative artificial intelligence (AI) powering chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT has. "There is a tipping point where material science, battery life, connectivity, AI, and machine learning all come together to make robotics more accessible than ever before," he added.

UN agencies are already utilizing artificial intelligence, such as the HungerMap project by the World Food Programme, which combines data to identify hunger-prone areas. Additionally, they are developing remotely operated trucks for delivering emergency aid in hazardous zones.

The World Health Organization is working on a comparative analysis system to enhance disease diagnosis accuracy using artificial intelligence.

"Development goals, let's say, unfortunately are not being met, and I believe that artificial intelligence can help save them before it's too late," said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, prior to the conference on July 6th-7th.

ITU brings together 193 countries and over 900 organizations, including universities and companies like Huawei Technologies and Google. It allocates global radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits and participates in establishing standards for artificial intelligence.