When the television show Westworld hit the screens in 2016, it managed to immediately pique my interest. Here was a wild west-themed park, inhabited by life-like robots whose actions were defined by complicated artificial intelligence algorithms. The human guests of this park could engulf themselves in a world where they could not distinguish robot from man and where they could escape from their boring everyday lives. Until the robots turned on the humans and everything went horribly wrong, that is. It’s a television show after all.
Neglecting the horrific and gruesome consequences in the Westworld television show, there was one question that kept returning to my thoughts: how long would it take until our everyday theme parks would be inhabited by Westworld-like robots? After all, it seems like a logical next step in an industry where amusing the guests is still happening with the use of dressed up actors. How long, until guests won’t realize they’re being entertained by a robot instead of an actor in a suit?
When it comes to real human characters, such as pirates, cowboys, Roman warriors – you name it – modern technology simply isn’t there yet. Recreating a human in a convincing robotic form, with its thoughts and manners all realistically portrayed, seems like something that won’t be possible in nearby future. However, the future seems brighter when it comes to AI powered robotic cartoon characters in theme parks. Just last year at SXSW festival, Disney announced that its looking into the possibility of replacing their human actors by life-sized AI robots.
Since cartoon characters usually have body characteristics that aren’t as complicated as that of humans, the first implementation of these robots seems suitable for Disney parks. According to Disney’s vice president of research and development Jon Snoddy, Disney is looking into “Things like characters that can move around among our guests. They’re going to need to understand where they’re going, have goals, and they’re going to have to know how to navigate in a world with humans”, which sounds… awfully close to the premise of Westworld. However, Disney realizes that the implementation of these robots should be carefully researched and tested. “Obviously, we’re not in the business of scaring kids. (…) We go and do tests in our parks to gauge the reaction and try and understand what kids find entertaining about these things”, said Snoddy.
For now, my Westworld-inflicted worries about murderous AI robots have been put to rest. However, let’s see what the real public reaction will be when Disney (or any other theme park) starts to carefully implement these robots into their theme parks. Will we run for our lives, or embrace them with laughter?
References
Sulleyman, A. (2017). Disney to introduce AI robot Mickey Mouse at theme parks, insists it does not want to terrify children. The Independent, [online]. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/disney-mickey-mouse-ai-robot-disneyworld-a7626886.html [Accessed on the 5th of October, 2018]
Interesting article. I used to watch the Westworld series as well and I was walking around with similar questions. While it is indeed true that murderous robots might still be something for science fiction HBO series, I think you are right to wonder what the reaction of the public will be. In my opinion we should be careful in the use of artificial intelligence in communication with human beings. I will definitely keep an eye out for updates of IA in Disney world!