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The TED talk by Katherine Kuchenbecker was extremely controversial and brought about different aspects of robots and AI that I had previously never thought of. Throughout her video, she focuses on Haptics, which refers to touch technology. As we are aware, this is one of the things that differentiates us from robots, thus the controversial debate begins. Should we give robots the power to feel and touch, just like humans do? I believe that there are both positive and negative outcomes that can erupt from doing such a thing. On the one hand it can be beneficial in some medical fields such as dentistry in which people would become more experienced and knowledgeable before they actually begin their job as a dentist as they would be able to detect cavities based on their feel through this innovative technology. Another example that I enjoyed learning about and thought that was great was when it comes to exhibit museums. There are many instances in which we are not allowed to touch a work of art or sculpture and it is very hard to imagine how if would make us feel. If this were to be achieved through this new technology without actually having to touch the sculpture itself, it could really change and challenge the way we see and experience art. However, although there might be some positive aspects to this technology, there are also disadvantages that come with it. I really believe that feel and touch are senses that differentiate us from robots and it is a difference that makes us special and unique. I think that giving up this privilege could bring about negative consequences within society and provide people with fake and false confidence. I think that if this technology develops, we have to be careful with the way we manage it and we should consider not completely giving up all of the things that make us unique and special such as the fact that we can touch and feel.
