Why Artificial Intelligence is More Trendy Than Robotics

Picture a scenario where you need to instruct someone on tasks that should be performed immediately, at the end of the day, and in the coming week. Picture also that you are engaged in activities, and an 'it' (which may be a robot or a person) knows what needs to be done today, tomorrow, and later in the week. Which do you think is more 'trendy'? AI, perhaps, because it offers a sense of mystery and potential interest and fun, akin to IBM's Watson's victory in Jeopardy.

The Public Perception of AI vs Robotics

For the general public, especially in the USA and to a lesser extent for those new to technology, AI often holds a mystique that robotics might not share. When discussing technology in popular culture, reality takes a back seat to perception. People often associate robots with remotely operated machinery but may also perceive them as a threat, akin to the antagonistic robots in the "Terminator" movie/TV franchise.

From a technical standpoint, though AI might seem more trendy than robotics in commerce and academic circles, this could simply be due to the ease of tinkering with AI software. It's easier for companies or educational institutions to focus on potential AI applications rather than the significant capital investment required for robotics development without a clearly defined goal. Engineering labs, which can be quite expensive, can still achieve respectable results with AI projects.

Note: Outside the US and Canada, cultural references might differ, but the effect on public perception is likely the same: AI is associated with fun and not so much with clunky and potentially harmful machines.

The Evolution of AI and Robotics

Both AI and robotics have had a substantial history, with AI gaining prominence in the 1960s when computer scientists tackled complex problems, albeit with limited success at the time. For industry, robotics were a more straightforward challenge compared to AI as a field of study. However, the rapid advancements in AI have transformed this dynamic.

The true difference lies in the current era and the realm of consumer-grade robots and AI. AI has become so formidable in terms of knowledge and skill that it poses a credible challenge to human abilities. On the other hand, robots, while versatile, still lack the depth of human knowledge in areas such as diagnosing diseases or playing chess.

For example, while a robot may excel in performing tasks similar to a human's capabilities, it struggles to match a real doctor's diagnostic skills or a human's chess mastery. This gap between human and robotic capabilities has made AI more appealing and interesting to the public.

Approachability and Popularity

AI is unique in that it offers a real contender for human knowledge and skills, something no machine has ever achieved. Additionally, AI is approachable as a field of study, whether at a hobbyist or professional level. This accessibility has contributed significantly to its popularity and trendiness. Robotics, while still a valuable field, often requires more tangible and substantial investments with defined goals before substantial progress can be made.

In conclusion, the trendiness of AI versus robotics can be attributed to the public's perception, the ease of working with AI software, and the current capabilities of AI that challenge human capabilities in novel and exciting ways.