Meet the woman who understands how robots think and more importantly, how we think about them. Professor Kerstin Fischer brings over 20 years of research expertise to this fascinating exploration of human-robot interaction and what it means for our workplaces.
The conversation delves into a critical distinction most of us miss: the power of embodiment. While we're all getting comfortable with screen-based AI like ChatGPT, Kirsten reveals why physical robots fundamentally change our response to artificial intelligence. "Robots differ from other interactional technologies by means of their embodiment—they have physical bodies in the physical world," Kerstin explains. This physicality triggers a psychological mechanism called "depiction," where we simultaneously recognize robots as machines while constructing characters for them.
This matters for workplaces starting to integrate robotic systems. Kerstin shares eye-opening research with hosts Pauline James and David Creelman - showing how robots mimicking specific speech patterns (like Steve Jobs) dramatically increased compliance, even when giving incorrect directions. She also discusses fascinating applications already being developed, including therapeutic robots encouraging patient mobility after surgery and telepresence robots that create meaningful presence for remote workers. "With the robot, it was as if she was there," Fisher notes about a student using telepresence technology, highlighting the profound potential for belonging that these systems create.
Perhaps most surprising is Kerstin's counterintuitive warning that embodied robots may actually pose less risk than invisible AI systems. "Because of the embodiment of robots, you have an agent... whereas if you are using AI for human resource management or pre-screening applications, that is not visible." This transparency distinction represents a critical consideration for HR professionals navigating the rapidly evolving technology landscape. Ready to understand the robots that will soon be your coworkers? Listen now.
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