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Watch Sony’s elite ping-pong robot beat top-ranked players
Sony's Ace demonstrates AI moving beyond virtual tasks into high-speed, embodied human domains.
URL: https://www.theverge.com/tech/916800/sony-ai-ace-ping-pong-table-tennis-robot-cameras
From Pong to ping-pong, computers are getting better at beating humans in physical activities beyond playing video games. Even the ancient world of "real" sports isn't safe from some silicon competition.
People tend to learn from others who have more knowledge, experience and skill as them. So, seen from that angle a super-human sports robot might be an excellent trainer.
To others a machine that reacts so much faster than us, might be seen as immediately threatening; can you hear the Terminator soundtrack playing in the background?
Many people take pride in the accomplishments of others. A successful athlete can be a source of inspiration even if the inspired will never reach the same heights. To some it feels good just knowing of the human frontiers breached.
What if the robots take over in that regard? Will we lose our human pride, our sense of accomplishment? Will it lead to an erosion of human self-worth?
Let us not forget that it is us who created both robots and AI. So far, we are still in control. Is there any future accomplishment worthy enough to give up that control?