science

Robots are more likely to be deemed a threat if their 'skin' is darker claims new study


Humans apply racist bias to ROBOTS: Machines are more likely to be deemed a threat if their ‘skin’ is darker, new study finds

  • A new study shows evidence that people treat different colored robots with bias
  • In a shooting bias test, robots with darker ‘skin’ were identified as threats more
  • The study could have implications on how people react to bots in the future
  • To help decrease bias, researchers suggest making more diverse machines 

A new study suggest that the same racial stereotypes applied to people are also applied to their mechanical kin.  

Researchers from the Human Interface Technology Laboratory in New Zealand say humans perceive robots that resemble humans to have a certain race and may apply stereotypes on the bot depending on the shade of its ‘skin’. 

The findings come from what’s known as a shooter bias test. 

In the experiment, participants were shown various images of armed and unarmed subjects and asked to make a split-second reaction test based on the level of ‘threat.’ 

Robots are more likely to be deemed a threat if their 'skin' is darker

Robots are more likely to be deemed a threat if their ‘skin’ is darker 

In that series of pictures, researchers wove in both light and dark-colored robots.

An affirmative reaction came in the form of participants pressing a button, or in other words, choosing to pull the trigger.

What they found was that people were more apt to ‘shoot’ robots with darker tones than lighter ones even when they were posing no threat.

An example of images shown to participants in the study is pictured above. Robots were shown with pictures of black and white men

An example of images shown to participants in the study is pictured above. Robots were shown with pictures of black and white men

While the findings suggest bias against robots, authors note that it may really represent a bias against people. 

‘The bias against black robots is a result of bias against African-Americans,’ Christoph Bartneck, lead author of the study, told The Next Web.    

As robots continue to make headway into people’s everyday lives, researchers say the study, and understanding how people react to robots, could be important for many reasons.

Researchers caution against a trend in robotics of making mostly white machines. That inclination could inform racial biases similarly to other products or media, they say.

‘If robots are supposed to function as teachers, friends, or carers, for instance, then it will be a serious problem if all of these roles are only ever occupied by robots that are racialized as White,’ they write in the report.

In order to prevent people from racializing robots like they do people, researchers suggest that makes of humanoid robots should add more diversity in color – a decision they say could help break down stereotypes. 

Racial diversity could be the key to helping to reduce racial biases among people and robots according to researchers

Racial diversity could be the key to helping to reduce racial biases among people and robots according to researchers

‘Human-shaped robots should represent the diversity of humans,’ Bartneck told The Next Web.

In fact, a second study conducted by researchers found that by increasing the diversity of robot colors – adding a lighter brown – the bias tended to disappear.

They posit that the findings, ‘potentially mean that diversification of robots might lead to a reduction in racial bias towards them,’ according to the report

Barteck notes that when it comes to the future of robots, there could be a lot to gain by adding a little diversity.

‘This leads me to believe that we have everything to win by offering racial options and nothing to lose,’ Bartneck told CNN.

‘In the same way that we do want Barbie dolls in all colors and shapes, we also want robots in more than just white.’

WHO IS SOPHIA THE ROBOT?

In October 2017, Sophia was granted citizenship in Saudi Arabia

In October 2017, Sophia was granted citizenship in Saudi Arabia

Sophia first emerged in 2016 as a super-intelligent human-like head with a realistic face that was able to blink, look from side to side and talk.

The humanoid robot, created by Hong Kong firm Hanson robotics, can chat, smile mischievously and even tell jokes.

The robot made history in October 2017 when she became legal a citizen of Saudi Arabia.

The stunt made Sophia the world’s first robot to be granted legal citizenship.

While Sophia has some impressive capabilities, she does not yet have consciousness.

Hanson Robotics claims fully sentient machines could emerge within a few years.

Sophia herself has insisted ‘the pros outweigh the cons’ when it comes to artificial intelligence.

‘Elders will have more company, autistic children will have endlessly patient teachers,’ Sophia said.



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