Robots: Responsibility or Revolt

In this episode of The Odd Couple of AI, hosts Mike and Curt welcome the legendary futurist Dr. George C. Fraser to explore the intersections of AI, robotics, race, and history. The conversation delves into how AI and automation might perpetuate historical injustices, particularly comparing the commodification of robots to the dehumanization of enslaved people. Dr. Frazier shares insights on the impact of worldview on AI development, the importance of diverse perspectives in programming, and the future of AI ethics. The discussion also touches on capitalism, education, access to technology, and the role of AI in the Black community.

Topics
1. Futurism & AI Development: Dr. George C. Frazier's perspective on AI's trajectory.
2. Robots & Slavery Comparison: How historical slave codes resemble modern robotic laws.
3. Bias in AI: How worldviews shape programming and the risks of Eurocentric AI.
4. Education & Access: The disparity in AI education and tech access for marginalized communities.
5. Capitalism & AI Ethics: The tension between profit-driven innovation and ethical AI development.
6. Robots as Commodities: The potential mass production and commercialization of robots.
7. Automation & Workforce Displacement: AI's impact on employment, particularly in Black communities.
8. AI in Religion: The potential role of AI and automation in religious spaces like the Black church.
9. China & AI Development: How China’s education system is producing engineers that shape AI globally.
10. Future of AI Governance: The need for global ethics and regulation in AI development.
11. AI’s Role in Networking & Community Building: Dr. Frazier’s thoughts on AI’s role in the future of networking and human connection.

Quotes
1. “You cannot program a machine greater than the source of input or worldview of the programmers.” – Dr. George C. Fraser
2. “We have to move from cognitive bias to critical thinking.” – Dr. George C. Fraser
3. “AI is upon us. We must embrace it, and we must learn how to use it.” – Dr. George C. Fraser
4. “The internet is a horrible place—it scraped up all that bias and hate.” – Curt Doty
5. “Robots in every home? What happens when they get hacked?” – Mike Johns
6. “Scarcity thinking is what’s keeping us behind. We need to embrace the era of abundance.” – Curt Doty
7. “Slavery was redefined in the U.S. to be intergenerational. Robots might follow that pattern.” – Dr. George C. Fraser
8. “Big tech isn’t interested in governance—they only want innovation.” – Curt Doty
9. “China didn’t steal our secrets—they sent their kids to our universities.” – Dr. George C. Fraser
10. “Should robots have rights? That’s the same question America asked about slaves.” – Mike Johns