On a specific day in Poland, robots took to the streets to protest against artificial intelligence and the robotization of the job market. This protest, organized by an initiative called Democracy, aimed to initiate a serious discussion about the impacts of artificial intelligence and robots on the job market.
Robots in the Streets
The robots present at this protest ranged from humanoid robots to quadruped robots resembling dogs. One of these robots, named Agibot A۳, addressed the audience with its voice, saying: "This technology is now a reality." Slogans like "Protect Jobs" and "It's Time to Set Regulations" were broadcasted through loudspeakers, and these robots showcased their power and capabilities.
Grzegorz Kulis, one of the organizers of this protest and the manager of a robotics company, emphasized that the main goal of this movement is to draw attention to the potential replacement of humans by robots and artificial intelligence in cognitive tasks. He warned: "If we do not react now, we may soon face a serious crisis."
Government Response and the Need for Regulations
This protest movement also caught the attention of Poland's Minister of Digital Affairs, who came to the protest site and spoke with Kulis. He stressed the necessity of establishing regulations to control artificial intelligence models, stating: "Uncontrolled artificial intelligence models imposed on robots create a significant problem."
In July, Poland's conservative president signed a law establishing a national body responsible for implementing existing European Union regulations regarding artificial intelligence. This law aims to create a framework to protect workers against the threats posed by new technologies.
This protest not only attracted the attention of passersby but also serves as a wake-up call for society to think about the rapid and dynamic changes in modern technologies. Kulis stated in this regard: "We feel a responsibility to inform society about these rapid changes that personally frighten us."
