Robots Begging on Chinese Streets Spark Debate on AI's Role

Kathmandu. The discussion that artificial intelligence (AI)-based agents and robots can snatch people's jobs has been going on for a long time. 

But now, seeing robots begging on the streets has surprised many people. According to Hong Kong-based news website HK01, humanoid robots have recently been seen begging on the streets of Chinese cities including Beijing, Chengdu, and Fuzhou. This suggests that this incident may not be limited to one place but could signal a potential new trend. 

In the pictures, the robots are seen in poses like real beggars. Some robots are kneeling with their heads bowed, while some are bowing in front of their human owners. 

Messages placed in front of them read sentences like 'I don't have money to charge my phone', 'Please pay my electricity bill'. 

Also, QR codes for digital payment are seen. Pictures of robot beggars have gone viral on social media in China. 

This has created a widespread debate, with people saying that AI and robot technology have started interfering in every aspect of human life. While one side sees this as a worrying sign for the future, the other side argues that such scenes may not be real but just promotional or artistic performances. 

According to experts, humanoid robots like Unitree Company's G-1 and H-2 are among the most advanced models on the market. However, since the price of such robots is very high, using them to beg on the streets does not seem economically logical. 

Some analysts have said that this could be a performance to attract attention. Some have interpreted these strange scenes as art installations. 

According to them, its purpose may be to make people think about the complex and sometimes humorous relationship developing between humans and artificial intelligence-powered robots.