‘AI love U’: 12% of world’s millennials willing to date robots

ROBOT LOVE. French media company Havas found in a worldwide survey in 2017 that 12% of millennials, Filipinos included, believe they could have a potential romantic relationship with robots. (PNA Photo)

MANILA — Sometimes, reality copies fiction. Futuristic scenes in movies and TV shows, such as humans and robots dating, could now become the norm in real life.

More than a tenth of the world’s millennials, Filipinos included, believe they could have a potential romantic relationship with robots, according to a study from French media company Havas.

In its survey conducted in March-April 2017, Havas found that 12 percent of millennials from around the world believe they could have a romance with a robot. The Philippines was included among the nation respondents.

Based on sex, 11 percent of men said they are prepared to have a romantic relationship with a robot, while 7 percent of women answered the same.

The study also found 25 percent believe it will be normal for humans and robots to develop deep friendships and even romantic relationships in the future.

It also reported 16 percent of females expect this will be a norm, while 22 percent of males believe the same.

Nearly half or 41 percent of millennials were also concerned that once artificial intelligence (AI) and robots are fully embedded in our lives, people will lose their ability to accept imperfections in people, which is crucial in human relationships.

If robotics develops hastily enough, the scenes in movies and TV shows could become an everyday spectacle.

Nearly half or 41 percent of millennials also believe that robots will someday be lifelike and could not be distinguished from humans. The respondents expect developers will create androids, which not only look human but are able to express themselves in human-like ways.

Will you date a robot? (PNA)