Diana Farah

DUBAI: Imagine a world where all human beings were replaced by robotic avatar versions of themselves – at work, at social gatherings and anywhere, really.

This is what Japanese Professor ISHIGURO Hiroshi, who is a roboticist, envisions for our world over the next few decades.

Speaking to Arab News Japan, Ishiguro said his main aim with the avatars is to help people of determination.

“If we give avatars to handicapped people, they can get a job and live life normally. If we use these avatars, they won’t need to think about the commuting time to their jobs and will be able to quickly jump into their avatars,” he explained.

Ishiguro added that anyone using the robot avatar will be able to stay home, while their avatar travels to many places, including other countries, and meets more people.

The roboticist said that in Japan specifically, there are many people who need to stay at home.

“In Japan, we’re going to have a serious problem with labor shortage over the next 50 years. Our population is going down to half of our current population. So, in the tech world, we need the avatars for Japan especially. Europe and some other Asian countries are facing a similar problem,” he told Arab News Japan.

When asked whether the robot avatars replacing everyday human interaction could pose certain ethical issues, Ishiguro said that it all depends on the application.

He went on to say that the robot will need to understand human intentions, and it is human data that will control the robot.

“The technological advancement of robots and AI is very similar to smartphones and computers. We will, of course, need to develop similar technologies that will protect the security and privacy of people,” he said.

The Osaka University professor added that such technology needs to be developed quickly because there is already a fear of security when it comes to ChatGPT.

“Many people say there’s a fear of ChatGPT or AI will develop a mind of its own, and its own consciousness,” he explained. “However, I see AI as a power tool for humans. The same as cars and computers, we never really stopped these technological advancements because we need to improve ourselves.”

Ishiguro said that humans need to accept these developments when it comes to robots because it will create more efficiency in getting work done and will have a positive impact on the job market.

The robot engineer is known for creating an eerily similar human-like robot version of himself.

Ishiguro explained that he wanted to produce an automated copy of himself to better understand our humanity.

“I’m creating the very human like robot, because humans, like robots, are a kind of a mirror to reflect our humanities. And then we can deeply study the meta level of human cognition, like consciousness in social relationships and so on,” he said.

Ishiguro said that the main challenge with creating such a life-like android copy is ensuring the gestures come off human-like as well.

The professor, in collaboration with Japanese General Consulate in Dubai, hosted a lecture on June 26 at the Museum of the Future under the title: ‘Japan’s Robotic Prowess: Towards an Avatar Based Society.’

In the lecture, Ishiguro said Japan and the UAE were collaborating on the Moonshot program, which is an initiative that supports innovative ideas to prepare for digital futures that will allow societies to conduct activities virtually by 2050.

He also explained that the UAE was much more accepting of new innovations as opposed to Japan or other countries around the world.

Part of the Moonshot program’s goals is to realize a society in which people are free from the constraints of body, brain and space by 2050. It also looked at disease prevention, robot and human co-existence, and food security and sustainability.

Ishiguro has also worked with Japanese government officials such as Digital Minister KONO Taro on his very own avatar, which participated at one of the G7 summit meetings.

Professor Ishiguro is looking forward to a society that is inclusive to all, envisioning a world where anyone can participate freely in various activities as well as being able to work and study anytime and anywhere while minimizing commuting time.

He also said that his company will be a part of Osaka, Kansai Expo 2025, where he will invite pavilion visitors to explore the innovative ideas our societies can expect to see over the next few decades. 

Consul-General IMANISHI Jun gave a speech at the beginning of the lecture, explaining that Dubai was the perfect venue to showcase the latest Japanese technologies and hailed the strengthening relations between the UAE and Japan.