The Ikigai Robot Revolution: Making Tech Meaningful for People

In this video, Nick Kemp discusses the concept of "Ikigai robots," which are learning robots designed to help individuals find their purpose. These robots can suggest activities that align with a person's ikigai, like reaching out to a friend, exercising, or enjoying music. The robots continuously learn from their interactions, refining their responses to better serve their users, similar to how devices like Alexa improve through feedback.

Providing appropriate sources of ikigai

Nick: This is interesting. So these robots will most cue people to remember: "That's my ikigai source", or "why don't you ring your friend?" Or "why don't you play some music?" Or "why don't you exercise?"

So these robots, we should highlight that they're learning robots, as well. So they're going to learn to distinguish what are the appropriate sources of ikigai and then use that information to, I guess, remind the person they're looking after.

And I actually saw a documentary quite a while ago, there was an old couple, and they didn't want the responsibility of a pet, I think. So this idea, we'll talk about that, because it could be a concern. But yeah, they had this cute little robot with this cute voice.

And every time it gave an answer, it would then confirm with, you know, a question like, "was that answer appropriate?" Or "are you satisfied with this answer?" Suggesting that was the learning model to provide an answer, and then after that, confirm whether it was correct or appropriate.

So it's learning how to best serve this particular couple. So I'm sure that's the case with these robots or with ikigai robot, it'll be learning, so then it can best deliver, or best help whoever they're looking after. Even Alexa will occasionally do that, you'll say "Alexa, what's blah, blah, blah?" And then she'll give you an answer, and then say, "Was that the information you were looking for?" "Were you happy with that answer?"

So it's funny, you end up having these conversations when you're just... or sometimes you ask for something, and you get the completely incorrect, bizarre answer. So the learning models got some work to do with Alexa at least.

Natasha: Yes, this robot is no different.

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