What Isaac Asimov Reveals About Living with A.I.
Briefly

In 1940, Isaac Asimov penned "Strange Playfellow," a short story featuring Robbie, a friendly AI companion for young Gloria. Unlike earlier works that portrayed robots as threats to humanity, Asimov's narrative delves into the emotional and psychological conflicts surrounding AI, particularly through the lens of Gloria's mother, who fears entrusting her daughter to a machine without a soul. This story laid the groundwork for Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, focusing on the importance of safety in human-robot interactions, and remains relevant today as contemporary AI discussions echo these themes.
Asimov's "Strange Playfellow" introduces a non-threatening AI that emphasizes psychological drama, contrasting with earlier narratives where robots become violent against humans.
Robbie's story revolves around maternal fears regarding technology, showcasing the psychological conflict of a mother who refuses to accept a soulless machine caring for her child.
The Three Laws of Robotics outlined by Asimov serve as a foundational ethos in AI development, prioritizing human safety and ethical implications of technology.
The relevance of Asimov's work is renewed with modern A.I. discussions, emphasizing safety measures in advanced models like Claude Opus 4.
Read at The New Yorker
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